Melon with red flesh linked to earliness

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides Cucumis melo inbred line CHA-ZA15-0014AN. The present disclosure also provides methods to select, produce, and grow these plants, parts of such plants, and products made from those parts. The disclosure also includes progeny of the provided plants including hybrid and inbred lines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2018/047258, filed Aug. 21, 2018, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/548,954, filed Aug. 22,2017, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, in theirentireties.

INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING

The sequence listing is hereby incorporated by reference, in itsentirety, including the file named P34501US01_Corrected_SEQ.txt, whichis 4,862 bytes in size and was created on Jul. 29, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to methods and compositions for growing melon plants thatproduce fruit comprising a red flesh phenotype linked with an earlinessphenotype.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Melon fruits are highly appreciated worldwide and are often eaten as afresh product. Melons are members of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), aclass of trailing annual vines that also includes squash, pumpkin, andcucumber. They have large broad leaves, stems covered in light prickles,and small yellow flowers. The fruit themselves are soft fleshed with acentral cavern containing seeds, surrounded by a thick protective rind.

Taxonomically, melons are broadly divided into two groups: watermelons(species Citrullus lanatus) and musk melons (species Cucumis melo L.).C. melo includes a wide variety of cultivars producing fruits ofdifferent shape, external appearance, and flesh color. These cultivarscan be classified into additional horticultural varieties, or groups,further comprising different melon market classes. Three such groups areCantalupensis, Reticulatus, and Inodorus and include, for example,market classes such as Canary, Cantaloupe (including Western Shipper,North American, and Charentais types), Casaba, Hami, Honeydew, NavajoYellow, Piel de Sapo, Santa Claus, Sugar melon, Ambrosia, Bailan, Galia,Ogen, Persian, and Sharlyn.

One important goal of melon breeding is to combine various desirabletraits in a single variety or hybrid. While breeding efforts to datehave provided a number of useful melon lines and varieties withbeneficial traits, there remains a need in the art for new lines andvarieties with further improved traits and methods for their production.In many cases, such efforts have been hampered by difficulties inidentifying and using alleles segregating with beneficial traits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure provides for, and includes, a Cucumis melo plant, orplant part that produces fruit with a red flesh trait linked to anearliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map.

This disclosure also provides for, and includes, a Cucumis melo seedcapable of growing a Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit with a redflesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

This disclosure further provides a method to detect a Cucumis melo plantwith a red flesh locus linked to an earliness locus on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map comprisingobtaining at least one Cucumis melo seed derived from a cross where atleast one parent comprises a red flesh trait linked to an earlinesstrait, assaying the obtained seed, or a plant grown from that seed, forat least one red flesh allele linked to at least one allele of anearliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map, and detecting a Cucumis melo seed, or a Cucumismelo plant grown from that seed, with a homozygous red flesh allelelinked to at least one allele of an earliness locus on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

This disclosure further provides a method of producing Cucumis meloplants comprising the steps of planting a Cucumis melo seed and growingthe seed into a Cucumis melo plant that can produce a fruit having redflesh with a hue angle less than 65° and a red flesh trait linked to anearliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE LISTING

SEQ ID NO:1 is the sequence of marker NCMEL008579265.

SEQ ID NO:2 is the sequence of marker NU0220305.

SEQ ID NO:3 is the sequence of marker NU0243432.

SEQ ID NO:4 is the sequence of marker NCMEL009758372.

SEQ ID NO:5 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 1 for NCMEL008579265.

SEQ ID NO:6 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 2 for NCMEL008579265.

SEQ ID NO:7 is the sequence of primer 1 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NCMEL008579265.

SEQ ID NO:8 is the sequence of primer 2 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NCMEL008579265.

SEQ ID NO:9 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 1 for NU0220305.

SEQ ID NO:10 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 2 for NU0220305.

SEQ ID NO:11 is the sequence of primer 1 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NU0220305.

SEQ ID NO:12 is the sequence of primer 2 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NU0220305.

SEQ ID NO:13 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 1 for NU0243432.

SEQ ID NO:14 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 2 for NU0243432.

SEQ ID NO:15 is the sequence of primer 1 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NU0243432.

SEQ ID NO:16 is the sequence of primer 2 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NU0243432.

SEQ ID NO:17 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 1 for NCMEL009758372.

SEQ ID NO:18 is the sequence of TAQMAN probe 2 for NCMEL009758372.

SEQ ID NO:19 is the sequence of primer 1 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NCMEL009758372.

SEQ ID NO:20 is the sequence of primer 2 used to amplify a regioncontaining the polymorphism in NCMEL009758372.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map with genetic map locations given according to theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Map positions of the BRIX4 QTL, theinterval containing the earliness locus, and the interval containing thered flesh locus are shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the crossing steps used in the creation of anearliness and red flesh coupling event. The F₁ generation is bred bycrossing a red flesh donor (CHA-192-0058-MO) and earliness donor (“BEST”crossed to CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN). Segregating F₂ plants are phenotyped andselected. Plants with both red flesh and an earliness phenotype areselfed to fix the coupling event. Genetic map locations are given in cMaccording to the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

FIG. 3 (left) is a diagram of recombinant haplotypes for eight BC₃F₃plants with the earliness donor (“BEST”) allele being a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, and recurrent parent (CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN) allelesbeing a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”. FIG. 3 (right) is a graph showingthe Least Square Mean (LSM) of Brix for each entry at 4 time points.Genetic map locations are given in cM according to the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the “earliness event” donor line. The “BEST”introgression includes the chromosomal interval from markers NU0219671to NU0219672. The remaining markers comprise alleles from the recurrentparent CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN. Genetic map locations are given in cMaccording to the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

FIG. 5 is a graph and diagram for the genetic mapping of the red fleshphenotype. FIG. 5A shows the location of a major QTL for red flesh onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map asfound in four mapping populations. The Y-axis shows the frequency ofassociated red flesh alleles to Hue, where 1 is a perfect association.The X-axis shows the genetic position in cM on Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Genetic map locations are given in cMaccording to the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. FIG. 5B showssegregation of lines in the mapping populations for orange and redflesh.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of fine mapping results for the red flesh phenotypeon Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Flesh color isquantitatively scored using the hue angle. Genotypes of ten F₆recombinant plants are shown. Red flesh (hue angle less than or equal to63°) correlates with red donor (CHA-192-0058-MO) alleles while orangeflesh (hue angle greater than 63°) correlates with alleles of the orangeflesh recurrent parent (CHA-38-MAKER-AN). Genetic map locations aregiven in cM according to the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

FIG. 7 is a diagram and graph showing increases in degrees Brix overtime in F₂ recombinants of the coupling cross described in Example 4,compared to controls. The LSM of Brix accumulation is determined and setto zero at 21 Days Post Anthesis (DPA). Subsequent entries represent theincrease in degrees Brix over the previous time entry. FIG. 7A showslines with early Brix accumulation. FIG. 7 b shows lines with late Brixaccumulation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing total Brix accumulation in F₂ recombinantsof the coupling cross described in Example 4 and controls. The LSM forBrix accumulation is shown for each entry at each time point on theleft; the genetic haplotype for each line is shown to the right. Geneticmap locations are given in cM according to the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map.

FIG. 9 is a diagram correlating flesh color with haplotypes across theearliness and red flesh intervals in F₂ recombinants of the couplingcross. The visually observed flesh color is indicated. Flesh color isquantitatively scored using the hue LSM. The entry labeled “seg” issegregating for both orange and red flesh color.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the genetic haplotype of markers in F₂recombinants of the coupling cross. The segregating event (with thecoupling haplotype), the earliness donor (“BEST”), and the red fleshdonor (CHA-192-0058-MO) are shown. Genetic map locations are given in cMaccording to the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

FIG. 11 is a graph of values for Brix accumulation in F₅ plants of theCHA-ZA15-0014AN line, indicated as percentage of maximum Brix (Brix attime point/Maximum Brix observed for entry) shown for each time point(DPA). The orange sister of the event, earliness recurrent parent(CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN), and red flesh donor (CHA-192-0058-MO) are shownfor comparison.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This application provides for, and includes, a Cucumis melo plant, orpart thereof, wherein a fruit obtained from the Cucumis melo plantcomprises a red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant comprising red flesh and earlinessprovided in this application are members of the gourd family(Cucurbitaceae). In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant comprisingred flesh and earliness provided in this application is a subspeciesselected from the group consisting of Cucumis melo, Cucumis meloagrestis, Cucumis melo cantalupo, Cucumis melo conomon, Cucumis meloinodorus, Cucumis melo texanus, Cucumis melo dudaim, Cucumis meloflexuosus, and Cucumis melo momordica. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant comprising red flesh and earliness provided in thisapplication is a hybrid. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantcomprising red flesh and earliness provided in this application is aninbred.

As used herein, the terms “variety”, “elite variety”, and “cultivar”means a group of similar plants that by their genetic pedigrees andperformance are not found in nature and can be distinguished from othervarieties within the same species.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant comprising red flesh and earlinessprovided in this application can be classified as a horticulturalvariety selected from the group consisting of Cantalupensis, Inodorus,and Reticulatus. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant of thehorticultural variety Cantalupensis comprises a market class selectedfrom the group consisting of Earl's Type, House, Galia, Charentais, andOgen. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant of the horticulturalvariety Inodorus comprises a market class selected from the groupconsisting of Amarillo, Honeydew, Piel de Sapo, Rochet, Negro, Crenshaw,and Tendral. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant of thehorticultural variety Reticulatus is a plant of the Hami melon marketclass.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant comprising red flesh and earlinessprovided in this application may be part of a plurality of plants. Insome aspects, the Cucumis melo plant or plurality of plants of thepresent disclosure may be grown in a field. In other aspects, theCucumis melo plant or plurality of plants of the present disclosure maybe grown in a greenhouse.

Also provided for and included in the present disclosure are parts ofthe Cucumis melo plant comprising red flesh and earliness. In furtheraspects, the plant part of the present disclosure is a seed, fruit,leaf, cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristem, embryo, endosperm, root, shoot,stem, pod, flower, inflorescence, stalk, pedicel, style, stigma,receptacle, petal, sepal, pollen, anther, filament, ovary, ovule,pericarp, phloem, vascular tissue, or a scion. In a further aspect, theapplication provides plant parts that are epidermal cells, stomatacells, leaves, root hairs, storage roots, or tubers. In an aspect, theplant part is a tissue culture of cells. In a further aspect, the plantpart is a plant cell in tissue culture. In a further aspect, the plantor part thereof is grown from a cell in tissue culture.

A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the Cucumis melo plantcomprising red flesh and earliness is provided in this application. Inone aspect, the tissue culture comprises cells or protoplasts from aplant part selected from the group consisting of an embryo, a meristem,a cotyledon, a pollen grain, a leaf, an anther, a root, a root tip, apistil, a flower, a fruit, a seed, and a stalk.

In an aspect, this application provides for and includes Cucumis meloplant cells, tissues, and organs from the Cucumis melo plant comprisingred flesh and earliness that are not reproductive cells and do notfunction during the natural reproduction of the plant. In anotheraspect, this application also provides for and includes Cucumis meloplant cells, tissues, and organs that are reproductive material andfunction during the natural reproduction of the plant. In anotheraspect, this application provides for and includes Cucumis melo plantcells, tissues, and organs that cannot maintain themselves viaphotosynthesis. In another aspect, this application also provides forand includes somatic Cucumis melo plant cells. Somatic cells, incontrast to germline cells, do not function during plant reproduction.

The Cucumis melo cells, tissues, and organs may be from seed, fruit,leaf, cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristem, embryos, endosperm, root, shoot,stem, pod, flower, inflorescence, stalk, pedicel, style, stigma,receptacle, petal, sepal, pollen, anther, filament, ovary, ovule,pericarp, phloem, or vascular tissue. In a further aspect, thisapplication provides epidermal cells, stomata cells, leaf or root hairs,storage roots, or tubers. In another aspect, this application provides aprotoplast from the Cucumis melo plant comprising red flesh andearliness. In another aspect, this application provides a plant grown intissue culture from calli that is created from any of the cell typesrecited herein.

It is known and understood in the art that Cucumis melo plants naturallyreproduce via seeds, not via asexual reproduction or vegetativepropagation. In one aspect, this application provides Cucumis meloendosperm. In another aspect, this application provides Cucumis meloendosperm cells. In a further aspect, this application provides atriploid plant that cannot reproduce sexually or produce seeds. Inanother aspect, this application provides a male or female sterileCucumis melo plant, which cannot reproduce without human intervention.

In a further aspect, this application provides processed products madefrom the disclosed Cucumis melo plants. Such products include, but arenot limited to, cut melon, meal, juice, oil, plant extract, starch, orfermentation or digestion products.

In an aspect, a Cucumis melo seed is provided. In a further aspect, aCucumis melo seed is provided that is capable of growing a Cucumis meloplant that can produce a fruit of the present disclosure. In a furtheraspect, a Cucumis melo seed is provided that is capable of growing aCucumis melo plant that can produce a fruit comprising a red flesh traitlinked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map as described in this application.

In an aspect, a Cucumis melo fruit, or melon, is provided. A melon fruitis an abscising organ that is soft fleshed with a central caverncontaining seeds, surrounded by a thick protective rind. Cucumis meloincludes a wide variety of cultivars producing fruits of differentshape, external appearance, and flesh color. Melon fruit become sweet asthey ripen, or mature, and sweetness can be objectively measured.

As used herein, the term “maturity” means maturity of fruit development.Melon maturity is correlated with the time of maximum acquisition ofdesirable traits such as fruit size, shape, texture, flesh color, andBrix accumulation. Melon maturity is also correlated with the time ofoptimal fruit harvest.

Earliness is an important agronomic trait, as it allows growers to bringthe harvest to market sooner and reduces the risks of crop loss. Forexample, many growing areas have an off-season with weather conditionsthat are detrimental to agriculture, such as cold, rain, or reducedsunlight. By growing an early maturing hybrid, a farmer could reduce therisk that his crop will not have been harvested prior to the onset ofthese conditions. Additionally, in regions where back-to-back cropcycles are possible, an early harvest will allow a second planting tofit more readily within ideal growing conditions. Also, the first fruitsto market in a growing season can often fetch a premium price notavailable when the market is saturated. Further, disease pressures oftenbuild up throughout a growing season and an early harvest will avoid themore severe disease pressures that occur late in the season or allowharvest from a field before disease symptoms fully develop and affectmarketable yield from a crop.

As used herein, “Days Post Anthesis” or “DPA” refers to a measurement oftime after the flowering of a plant. Start of anthesis refers to thetime at which a flower bud opens and can be pollinated. For example,measurement of days post anthesis begins with flagging a flower atanthesis and setting that day as day zero. Days after anthesis arereferred to as 1 day post anthesis, 2 days post anthesis, 3 days postanthesis, and so on.

As used herein, the term “earliness” or an “earliness trait” means aphenotype wherein maturity of fruit development as determined by Brixaccumulation occurs earlier when compared to a Cucumis melo plantwithout “earliness” or an “earliness trait”. For example, a melondisplaying “earliness” or an “earliness trait” will reach mature Brixlevels earlier when compared to an isogenic Cucumis melo melon plantwithout “earliness” or an “earliness trait”.

As used herein, the term “Brix” (“degree Brix” or “° Bx”) is used hereto quantify the mass ratio of dissolved solids, such as sucrose, towater in a liquid and is given in units of degrees 0. More specifically,a measurement of the Brix level of a melon fruit may be made accordingto methods well known in the art, for instance by use of a saccharimeteror refractometer (e.g. Refracto 30PX, Mettler-Toledo, Columbus, Ohio).For instance, a measurement of 10° Bx corresponds to about 7-8 grams ofdissolved solids including sucrose per 100 grams of liquid. In certainaspects the Brix level of such melon fruit may be, for instance, atleast 9, 9.5, or 10° Bx.

As used herein, the term “soluble solids” means the percent of solidmaterial dissolved in aqueous solution found in the edible portion ofthe fruit. As used herein, soluble solids are measured quantitativelywith a refractometer as degrees Brix. Brix is formally defined as weightpercent sucrose: if the only soluble solid present in an aqueoussolution is sucrose, an actual percentage sucrose will then be measured.However, if other soluble solids are present, as is almost always thecase, the reading is not equal to the percentage sucrose, butapproximates the overall percentage of soluble solids in the sample. Inshort, although Brix is technically defined as weight percent sucrose,those of skill in the art recognize that weight percent soluble solids,as obtained with a refractometer, approximate weight percent sucrose andaccurately indicate sweetness. Therefore, the higher the percentagesoluble solids, as indicated by degree Brix, the higher the perceivedsweetness of the fruit.

As used herein, “peak Brix accumulation” refers to a phenotype wherein amelon fruit reaches 95% of its maximum Brix accumulation. The time to“peak Brix accumulation” from days post anthesis is measured whenassaying the earliness phenotype.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map reaches peak Brixaccumulation earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic plantlacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that reach peak Brix accumulation at least three daysearlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking anearliness trait. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant producesfruit that reach peak Brix accumulation at least four days earlier thana fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking an earliness trait. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that reach peakBrix accumulation at least five days earlier than a fruit obtained froman isogenic plant lacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that reach peak Brix accumulation atleast six days earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic plantlacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that reach peak Brix accumulation at least three daysearlier, at least four days earlier, at least five days, or at least sixdays earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking anearliness trait. In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruitthat reach peak Brix accumulation between three and six days earlierthan a fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking an earliness trait.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that reachpeak Brix accumulation between three and five days earlier than a fruitobtained from an isogenic plant lacking an earliness trait. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that reach peak Brixaccumulation between three and four days earlier than a fruit obtainedfrom an isogenic plant lacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that reach peak Brix accumulationbetween four and five days earlier than a fruit obtained from anisogenic plant lacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that reach peak Brix accumulationbetween five and six days earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenicplant lacking an earliness trait. Flesh color is another hallmark offruit quality which generally develops late in the maturation process.Red flesh color in melon is a desirable trait in the European Charentaisand Italian markets. Furthermore, the presence of the red flesh locus intypically orange flesh varieties (e.g. Harper-type melons) can enhancethe color to make it appear more vivid. Deep orange flesh color has beenshown in consumer testing to be associated with greater perceiveddegrees of ripeness and therefore increased consumer preference.

As used herein, “hue angle” or “hue angle measurement” is a measure offruit color. As used herein, a melon fruit with a flesh hue angle ofbetween 64 and 73° is defined as orange and a melon fruit with a fleshhue angle of between 55 and 63° is defined as red. Hue angle is acalculation derived from the L*a*b color scale and is calculated using aand b with the formula [a tan 2(a,b)]. This number is then converted todegrees as the initial formula output result is in radians. Themeasurements of L*a*b can be slightly different depending on thecalculation method of the colorimeter instrument used. In an aspect,observed color of the fruit is quantified colorimetrically using aKonica Minolta colorimeter (e.g. Konica-Minolta® CR-410 Chroma Meter),which gives the L*a*b color scale values as an output reading.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map is provided. In an aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises red flesh having ahue angle of less than 63° as determined by using a Konica Minoltacolorimeter according to manufacturer's instructions (e.g.Konica-Minolta® CR-410 Chroma Meter). In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of less than 62°.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit thatcomprises a hue angle of less than 61°. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of less than 60°.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit thatcomprises a hue angle of less than 59°. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of less than 58°.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit thatcomprises a hue angle of less than 57°. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of less than 56°.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit thatcomprises a hue angle of less than 63°, less than 62°. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angleof less than 63°, less than 62°, less than 61°, less than 60°, less than59°, less than 58°, less than 57°, or less than 56°. In an aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of between55° and 63°. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruitthat comprises a hue angle of between 56° and 62°. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle ofbetween 57° and 61°. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises a hue angle of between 58° and 60°. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises ahue angle of between 59° and 60°. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises a hue angle of between 55° and 63°,between 56° and 62°, between 57° and 61°, between 58° and 60°, andbetween 59° and 60°. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant withboth earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. Infurther aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and redflesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlier than aCucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map comprises at least 40parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises at least 41 partsper million of total carotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises at least 42 parts permillion of total carotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises at least 43 parts per millionof total carotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises at least 44 parts per million oftotal carotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 45 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 46 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 47 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 48 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 49 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 50 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 51 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 52 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 53 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 54 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 55 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 56 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 57 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 58 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 59 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 60 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 70 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 80 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that comprises at least 40, at least 41, at least 42, atleast 43, at least 44, at least 45, at least 46, at least 47, at least48, at least 49, at least 50, at least 51, at least 52, at least 53, atleast 54, at least 55, at least 56, at least 57, at least 58, at least59, at least 60, at least 70, or at least 80 parts per million of totalcarotenes at maturity. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant withboth earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. Infurther aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and redflesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlier than aCucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map comprises between 40 and80 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 42and 78 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 44and 76 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 48and 74 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 50and 70 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 52and 68 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 54and 66 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 56and 64 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 58and 62 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 40and 50 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 40and 60 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 40and 70 parts per million of total carotenes at maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 40and 80, between 42 and 78, between 44 and 76, between 46 and 74, between48 and 72, between 50 and 70, between 52 and 68, between 54 and 66,between 56 and 64, between 58 and 62, between 40 and 50, between 40 and60, or between 40 and 70, parts per million of total carotenes atmaturity. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earlinessand red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3 days earlierthan a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait.

As used herein, the term “isogenic” means having the same or a closelysimilar genotype. Two plants are considered isogenic if their genomesare at least 98% similar in structure and composition. In an aspect, twoplants are considered isogenic if their genomes are identical except ata locus or loci of interest. In a further aspect, two plants areconsidered isogenic if their genomes are identical except at anearliness locus. In a further aspect, two plants are considered isogenicif their genomes are identical except at a red flesh locus. In a furtheraspect, two plants are considered isogenic if their genomes areidentical except at a genomic interval containing an earliness locuslinked to a red flesh locus.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map comprises an amount oftotal carotenes greater than a mature fruit obtained from an isogenicplant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises an amount of total carotenesgreater than a mature fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking ahomozygous red flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises greater than 15 parts per millionmore total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenicplant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises greater than 20 parts permillion more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from anisogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises greater than 25 partsper million more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit froman isogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises greater than 15parts per million, greater than 20 parts per million, or greater than 25parts per million more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruitfrom an isogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In an aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 15 and 25 partper million more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit froman isogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit that comprises between 15 and 20part per million more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruitfrom an isogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 4 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh produces fruit thatcomprises a hue angle of between 55° and 63°, between 56° and 62°,between 57° and 61°, between 58° and 60°, and between 59° and 60°.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map comprises greater than 20%more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenicplant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises greater than 25% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises greater than 30% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises greater than 35% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises greater than 40% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises greater than 20% more, greater than25% more, greater than 30% more, greater than 35% more, or greater than40% more total carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from anisogenic plant lacking a red flesh phenotype. In an aspect, the Cucumismelo plant produces fruit that comprises between 20% and 40% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises between 25% and 35% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises between 25% and 30% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises between 30% and 35% more totalcarotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit that comprises between 20% and 40% more, between25% and 35% more, between 25% and 30% more, or between 30% and 35% moretotal carotenes than that of a mature melon fruit from an isogenic plantlacking a red flesh phenotype. In further aspects, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulationat least 3 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earlinesstrait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earlinessand red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlierthan a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 6 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map produces fruit thatreaches maturity earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic plantlacking an earliness trait. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit that reaches maturity earlier than a fruit obtained froman isogenic plant lacking an earliness allele. In an aspect, the Cucumismelo plant that produces fruit that comprises a red flesh trait linkedto an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map produces mature melon fruit with an averagemaximum Brix content at least F Brix greater than a mature melon fruitof an isogenic plant without an earliness trait.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map produces melon fruit withan average Brix content of at least 9° Brix at fruit maturity. In anaspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brixcontent of at least 10° Brix at fruit maturity. In an aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brix content of atleast 11° Brix at fruit maturity. In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit with an average Brix content of at least 12° Brix atfruit maturity. In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit withan average Brix content of at least 13° Brix at fruit maturity. In anaspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brixcontent of at least 14° Brix at fruit maturity. In an aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brix content of atleast 15° Brix at fruit maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit with an average Brix content between 9° and 10°Brix at fruit maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plantproduces fruit with an average Brix content between 9° and 11°. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit with an averageBrix content between 9° and 12° Brix at fruit maturity. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brixcontent between 9° and 13° Brix at fruit maturity. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brix contentbetween 9° and 14° Brix at fruit maturity. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant produces fruit with an average Brix content between9° and 15° Brix at fruit maturity. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant produces fruit with an average Brix content of at least 9° Brix,at least 10° Brix, at least 11° Brix, at least 12° Brix, at least 13°Brix, at least 14° Brix, or at least 15° Brix at fruit maturity. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshproduces fruit that comprises a hue angle of between 55° and 63°,between 56° and 62°, between 57° and 61°, between 58° and 60°, andbetween 59° and 60°.

As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “coupled loci” or “coupling event”refers to a genetic condition in which the alleles of two different locioccur together on one chromosome. In a further aspect, two differentloci that are coupled occur within about 20 cM, 19 cM, 18 cM, 17 cM, 16cM, 15 cM, 14 cM, 13 cM, 12 cM, 11 cM, 10 cM, 9 cM, 8 cM, 7 cM, 6 cM, 5cM, 4 cM, 3 cM, 2 cM, 1 cM, 0.5 cM, or less than 0.5 cM from each other.

As used herein, “co-segregates” means inherited together during meiosismore often than random assortment would predict. In example, duringmeiosis in the course of plant breeding, two marker alleles or twophenotypes or a marker allele and a phenotype that are inheritedtogether in the same progeny are said to co-segregate. This typicallymeans that the two marker alleles, two phenotypes, or marker allele andphenotype are linked. For example, two genes coupled on the samechromosome will be inherited together and therefore co-segregate. Amarker allele that is linked to a phenotype will tend to co-segregatewith that phenotype.

As used herein, “flanking”, “flanking markers”, or an “interval flankedby” is used to describe the boundaries of a chromosome interval orregion by designated genetic markers. As used herein, flanking markersdesignating the boundaries of a given region are included within thatregion.

As used herein, the term “chromosome interval” designates a contiguouslinear span of genomic DNA that resides on a single chromosome.

As used herein, “locus” is a chromosome region where a polymorphicnucleic acid, trait determinant, gene, or marker is located. The loci ofthis disclosure comprise one or more polymorphisms in a population;e.g., alternative alleles are present in some individuals. A “genelocus” is a specific chromosome location in the genome of a specieswhere a specific gene can be found. A “trait locus” is a specificchromosome location in the genome of a species where a gene conferring aspecific trait can be found. In an aspect of the present disclosure, atrait locus for red flesh or a red flesh locus corresponds to thelocation in the genome where a gene conferring a red flesh trait can befound and a trait locus for earliness or an earliness locus correspondsto the location in the genome where a gene conferring an earliness traitcan be found. In a further aspect, trait locus for red flesh and a traitlocus for earliness are linked and located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

As used herein, “allele” refers to an alternative nucleic acid sequenceat a further locus. The length of an allele can be as small as 1nucleotide base, but is typically larger. For example, a first allelecan occur on one chromosome, while a second allele occurs on a secondhomologous chromosome, e.g., as occurs for different chromosomes of aheterozygous individual, or between different homozygous or heterozygousindividuals in a population.

As used herein, the terms “recombinant” or “recombination event” refersto a plant having a new genetic make-up arising as a result of crossingover between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

In an aspect, the chromosomal region on Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map linked with earliness comprises the earlinesslocus found in Cucumis melo line “BEST”, a sample of seed of Cucumismelo line “BEST” having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12263. The Cucumis melo line “BEST” is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,580,724, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Ina further aspect, an earliness locus on Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map is flanked by the markers NU0243432 (physical mapposition 28,346,029 basepairs) and NU0220305 (physical map position24,876,456 basepairs). In certain aspects, a genetic marker linked toand useful in molecular detection of the earliness locus is selectedfrom the group consisting of NU0219671, NU0243432, NU0243324, NU0219095,NU0218257, NU0219354, NU0219672, NU0219274, NU0243607, NU0219118,NU0220372, NU0220305, and NU0220446.

In an aspect, an earliness trait segregating with an earliness locuslocated on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map is obtainable from lines and varieties provided in thisapplication such as “BEST”, CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN/BEST, the “earlinessevent”, and CHA-ZA15-0014AN. Sources of earliness on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map are known in theart such as Q3-2-2-2 described in Cuevas et al. 2009 (A consensuslinkage map identifies genomic regions controlling fruit maturity andbeta-carotene-associated flesh color in melon (Cucumis melo L.). TheorAppl Genet. August; 119(4):741-56, 2009, “Cuevas”). The line Q3-2-2-2 isdescribed as having no (3-carotene and a white flesh. The earliness QTLin Q3-2-2-2 was mapped to approximately 50.3 cM on Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map (It is noted that Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map as used here is equivalent to LinkageGroup 6 of the ICuCI public map, See Table 2). Additionally, Monforte etal. (Identification of quantitative trait loci involved in fruit qualitytraits in melon (Cucumis melo L.). Theor Appl Genet. February;108:750-758, 2004, “Monforte”), discloses an earliness QTL that isassociated with a 50 cM region on Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map. Cuevas suggests that breeding an early melon withhigh β-carotene could be difficult because of the complex geneticsinvolved in producing these traits. Cuevas further suggests thatbreeding early fruit maturity and high β-carotene traits should involveintrogression of the β-carotene QTL on Linkage Group 9 (QTLβ-carM/E.9.1). Cuevas specifically notes that the amount of variationfrom a β-car QTL on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap (β-carM/E.6.1) is low.

In an aspect, the chromosomal region on Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map linked with red flesh comprises a red flesh locusfound in Cucumis melo line CHA-192-0058-MO. In a further aspect, the redflesh locus on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map inflanked by the markers NU0220305 (map position 24,876,456 basepairs) andNCMEL008579265 (map position 22,825,883 basepairs). In certain aspects,the genetic marker linked to and useful in molecular detection of thered flesh locus is selected from the group consisting of NU0220305,NU0220372, NU0219774, NCMEL009758372, NU0219889, NU0244419, NU0244478,NU0220446, NU0219650, NU0244718, NU0218943, NCMEL008579265, NU0219136,NU0243542, NU0219676, and NU0243281.

In a further aspect, the red flesh trait segregating with a red fleshlocus located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map is obtainable from lines and varieties provided in thisapplication such as CHA-192-0058-MO, CHA-192-0034-AN, ITAAZ11-7001MO,and CHA-ZA15-0014AN. A source of red flesh is known in the art asNunhem's variety ‘Magenta’ (Nunhem's USA, Inc). Causative geneticelements for the red flesh phenotype in Nunhem's variety ‘Magenta’ havenot been disclosed. Three QTL are disclosed in Harel-Beja et al. thatare located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map (Linkage Group 6 on the ICuGI public map, See Table 2) andassociated with orange flesh color, β-carotene, and total carotenoids (Agenetic map of melon highly enriched with fruit quality QTLs and ESTmarkers, including sugar and carotenoid metabolism genes. Theor ApplGenet. August; 121:511-533, 2010, “Harel-Beja”). The orange flesh colorand β-carotene QTLs on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap are also found in Cuevas and Monforte. Harel-Beja maps the QTLassociated with orange flesh color, β-carotene, and total carotenoid toapproximately 88 to 90 cM on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map. The red flesh QTL disclosed herein maps to approximately 50cM suggesting at least two flesh color QTL on Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Cuevas further suggests that breedingearly fruit maturity and high β-carotene should use the β-carotene QTLon Linkage Group 9 (QTL β-carM/E.9.1). Cuevas specifically notes thatthe amount of variation from a β-car QTL on Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map (β-carM/E.6.1) is low. An early, redflesh Cucumis melo line is not disclosed in the art.

In an aspect, this application provides a Cucumis melo plant, or partthereof, wherein a fruit obtained from the Cucumis melo plant comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with a red flesh trait linked to an earliness traitis Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN. In a further aspect, achromosomal region segregating with a red flesh trait linked to anearliness trait comprising a red flesh locus linked to an earlinesslocus is obtainable from Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN. In afurther aspect, this application provides the Cucumis melo seed capableof producing Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN. A sample seed ofCucumis melo line CHA-ZA15-0014AN is deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-124202. In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that comprises ared flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map comprises the earlinesslocus found in Cucumis melo line “BEST” linked to the red flesh locusfound in Cucumis melo line CHA-192-0058-MO.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map provided in thisapplication is obtainable by crossing a first parent Cucumis melo plantthat comprises at least one red flesh allele linked to at least oneearliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map to a second parent Cucumis melo plant without ared flesh allele or an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map, selecting a F₁ progeny plant thatcomprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265, selfing the selectedF₁ progeny plant, and selecting a F₂ progeny plant that comprises ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, a F₁ progeny plant can be selectedthat comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Tnucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, a F₁ progenyplant can be selected that comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect,a F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect, a F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, a first parent Cucumis melo plantthat comprises at least one red flesh allele linked to at least oneearliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map is Cucumis melo line CHA-ZA15-0014AN. In a furtheraspect, a second parent Cucumis melo plant without a red flesh allele oran earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map can be a wild-type plant selected from the groupconsisting of Cucumis melo melo, Cucumis melo agrestis, Cucumis melocantalupo, Cucumis melo conomon, Cucumis melo inodorus, Cucumis melotexanus, Cucumis melo dudaim, Cucumis melo flexuosus, and Cucumis melomomordica. In a further aspect, the selected F₁ progeny plant can becrossed to a Cucumis melo plant that comprises at least one red fleshallele linked to an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In a further aspect, the selected F₁progeny plant can be crossed to the Cucumis melo plant CHA-ZA15-0014AN.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map provided in thisapplication is obtainable by crossing a first parent Cucumis melo plantthat comprises a homozygous red flesh allele without an earliness alleleon Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map toa second parent Cucumis melo plant with a homozygous earliness allelewithout a red flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map, selecting a recombinant F₁ progeny plantthat comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL009758372 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265,selfing the selected F₁ progeny plant, and selecting a F₂ progeny plantthat comprises a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, arecombinant F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, a F₁ progeny plant can be selectedthat comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Tnucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, a F₁ progenyplant can be selected that comprises a C nucleotide at marker NU0220305linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect,a F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In afurther aspect, the first parent Cucumis melo plant is Cucumis melo lineCucumis melo line CHA-192-0058-MO. In a further aspect, the secondparent Cucumis melo plant is Cucumis melo line “BEST”, or the Cucumismelo line “earliness event”.

In an aspect, the Cucumis melo plant that produces fruit that comprisesa red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map provided in thisapplication is obtainable by crossing two parent Cucumis melo plantsthat both comprise at least one red flesh allele and at least oneearliness allele that are unlinked on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map, selecting a recombinant F₁ progenyplant that comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL009758372 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265,selfing the selected F₁ progeny plant, and selecting a F₂ progeny plantthat comprises a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, arecombinant F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, a F₁ progeny plant can be selectedthat comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Tnucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, a F₁ progenyplant can be selected that comprises a C nucleotide at marker NU0220305linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect,a F₁ progeny plant can be selected that comprises a C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372.

In an aspect, the present application provides a Cucumis melo plantcomprising at least an introgressed chromosomal region on Linkage Group4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map segregating with red flesh andearliness in melon fruits relative to a plant lacking the region,wherein the region comprises an earliness locus located within flankingmarkers NU0243432 and NU0220305 and a red flesh locus located withinflanking markers NU0220305 and NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372,and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant withboth earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, atmarker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide atmarker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305,and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide atmarker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432. In a further aspect,the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregatewith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432. In a furtheraspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305.In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and redflesh co-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide, at markerNU0220305. In a further aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh comprises fleshwith a hue angle between 55° and 63°. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 3 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 6 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In some aspects, genetic assays of the Cucumis meloplant comprise PCR, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis,denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cleavage fragment lengthpolymorphism analysis, TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect, this application provides a Cucumis melo plant thatproduces fruit that comprises a red flesh trait linked to an earlinesstrait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap. In a further aspect, this application provides a Cucumis melo plantthat comprises a homozygous marker allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map linked to a red flesh locus. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygousmarker allele at one genetic marker located on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map linked to a red fleshlocus. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with ahomozygous marker allele at more than one genetic marker located onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Maplinked to a red flesh locus. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, atmarker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305,and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, atmarker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, atmarker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygousT nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, atmarker NU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432 and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the redflesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372.In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygousC nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305,and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305 and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432. In further aspects, thered flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, atmarker NU0220305. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous C nucleotide, at marker NU0220305. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh comprises fleshwith a hue angle between 55° and 63°. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 3 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 6 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In some aspects, genetic assays of the Cucumis meloplant comprise PCR, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis,denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cleavage fragment lengthpolymorphism analysis, TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect, this application provides a Cucumis melo plant thatproduces fruit that comprises a red flesh trait linked to an earlinesstrait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap. In a further aspect, the red flesh trait co-segregates with atleast one earliness-associated allele at one genetic marker located onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygousearliness-associated allele at one genetic marker located on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygousearliness-associated allele at one genetic marker located on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In furtheraspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a heterozygousearliness-associated allele at more than one genetic marker located onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a homozygousearliness-associated allele at more than one genetic marker located onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with “GG” at markerNU0243432. In further aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with“CC” at marker NU0220305. In further aspects, the red flesh traitco-segregates with a G nucleotide at flanking marker NU0243432. Infurther aspects, the red flesh trait co-segregates with a C nucleotideat flanking marker NU0220305. In some aspects, genetic assays of theCucumis melo plant comprise PCR, single strand conformationalpolymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cleavagefragment length polymorphism analysis, TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect, this application provides a Cucumis melo plant thatproduces fruit that comprises a red flesh trait linked to an earlinesstrait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with at leastone earliness allele at one genetic marker located on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous earlinessallele at one genetic marker located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In further aspects, the earlinesstrait co-segregates with a homozygous earliness allele at one geneticmarker located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregates witha heterozygous earliness allele at more than one genetic marker locatedon Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygousearliness allele at more than one genetic marker located on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In a furtheraspect, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”,at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygousC nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”,at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, atmarker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness traitco-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygousT nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygousT nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, atmarker NU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432 and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372.In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygousC nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness traitco-segregates with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. Infurther aspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, the earliness traitco-segregates with a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a heterozygous Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness traitco-segregates with a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305 and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous Gnucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432. In a further aspect, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and earliness co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, atmarker NU0220305. In further aspects, the earliness trait co-segregateswith a heterozygous C nucleotide, at marker NU0220305. In furtheraspects, the earliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects, theearliness trait co-segregates with a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant withboth earliness and red flesh comprises flesh with a hue angle between55° and 63°. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshreaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlier than a Cucumismelo plant without an earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant withoutan earliness trait. In further aspects, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In someaspects, genetic assays of the Cucumis melo plant comprise PCR, singlestrand conformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis, TAQMANassay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect, an earliness phenotype co-segregates with a homozygous redflesh allele at one genetic marker located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In further aspects, theearliness phenotype co-segregates with a homozygous red flesh allele atmore than one genetic marker located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In further aspects, the earlinessphenotype co-segregates with a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects, the earliness phenotypeco-segregates with a heterozygous red flesh allele at more than onegenetic marker located on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map. In further aspects, the earliness phenotypeco-segregates with a heterozygous T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265.In further aspects, the earliness phenotype co-segregates with ahomozygous T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects,the earliness phenotype co-segregates with a heterozygous T nucleotideat marker NCMEL009758372. In some aspects, genetic assays of the Cucumismelo plant comprise PCR, single strand conformational polymorphismanalysis, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cleavage fragmentlength polymorphism analysis, TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect, the application provides markers genetically linked to thedescribed red flesh and earliness loci which are located on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In certainaspects, the markers are within 10 cM, 5 cM, 3 cM, 1 cM, or less, of alocus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap that allows for a red flesh phenotype, an earliness phenotype, or ared flesh phenotype linked to an earliness phenotype. In certainaspects, markers linked to and useful in molecular detection of redflesh phenotype linked to an earliness phenotype can be selected fromthe group consisting of NU0243432, NU0220305, NCMEL009758372, andNCMEL008579265. The presence of a given marker may be identified by useof well-known techniques, such as genetic assays as disclosed herein. Insome aspects, genetic assays of the Cucumis melo plant comprise PCR,single strand conformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradientgel electrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis,TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing. Genetic map position, physical mapposition, and sequence information are given for selected geneticmarkers linked to these loci on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map in Table 1 (SEQ ID NOs:1-4).

TABLE 1 Map position for selected genetic markers according to the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map. Physical map Marker position (bp) SEQ IDNO NU0243432 28,346,029 3 NU0220305 24,876,456 2 NCMEL00975837223,377,571 4 NCMEL008579265 22,825,883 1

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides for a container of Cucumismelo seeds capable of producing a Cucumis melo plant comprising a redflesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. The present disclosure provides acontainer of CHA-ZA15-0014AN seeds, a sample seed of Cucumis melo lineCHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-124202. The present disclosure also provides a container ofCHA-ZA15-0014AN progeny seeds and a container of seeds that producefruit comprising a red flesh phenotype linked to an earliness phenotypederived from CHA-ZA15-0014AN. CHA-ZA15-0014AN seeds of the presentdisclosure produce melon plants that produce fruit comprising a redflesh phenotype linked to an earliness phenotype. The container ofCHA-ZA15-0014AN seeds of the present disclosure may contain any number,weight or volume of seeds. For example, a container of Cucumis meloseeds capable of producing a Cucumis melo plant comprising a red fleshtrait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map can contain at least about 100, 200,300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500,4000, or more seeds. A container can contain at least 100 seeds. Acontainer can contain at least 200 seeds. A container can contain atleast 300 seeds. A container can contain at least 400 seeds. A containercan contain at least 500 seeds. A container can contain at least 600seeds. A container can contain at least 700 seeds. A container cancontain at least 800 seeds. A container can contain at least 900 seeds.A container can contain at least 1000 seeds. A container can contain atleast 1500 seeds. A container can contain at least 2000 seeds. Acontainer can contain at least 2500 seeds. A container can contain atleast 3000 seeds. A container can contain at least 3500 seeds. Acontainer can contain at least 4000 seeds. A container can containgreater than 4000 seeds. Alternatively, the container can contain atleast about 1 ounce, 5 ounces, 10 ounces, 1 pound, 2 pounds, 3 pounds, 4pounds, 5 pounds, or more Cucumis melo seeds capable of producing aCucumis melo plant comprising a red flesh trait linked to an earlinesstrait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus GeneticMap. The container can contain at least about 1 ounce of seeds. Thecontainer can contain at least about 5 ounces of seeds. The containercan contain at least about 10 ounces of seeds. The container can containat least about 1 pound of seeds. The container can contain at leastabout 2 pounds of seeds. The container can contain at least about 3pounds of seeds. The container can contain at least about 4 pounds ofseeds. The container can contain at least about 5 pounds of seeds. Acontainer of CHA-ZA15-0014AN seeds of the present disclosure may be anycontainer available in the art. By way of a non-limiting example, acontainer may be a box, a bag, a packet, a pouch, a tape roll, a pail, afoil, or a tube.

The application provides for and includes a method for detecting a redflesh locus linked to an earliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plantcomprising, obtaining at least one progeny seed from a cross comprisingat least one Cucumis melo plant comprising a red flesh trait linked toan earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map; assaying said at least one progeny seed or aplant grown therefrom for the presence of at least one redflesh-associated allele and at least one allele associated with anearliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map; and detecting at least one Cucumis melo seed or aplant grown therefrom comprising a red flesh-associated allele linked toat least one allele associated with an earliness locus.

The application provides for and includes a method for selecting a redflesh locus linked to an earliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plantcomprising, obtaining at least one progeny seed from a cross comprisingat least one Cucumis melo plant comprising a red flesh trait linked toan earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map; assaying said at least one progeny seed or aplant grown therefrom for the presence of at least one redflesh-associated allele and at least one allele associated with anearliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map; and selecting at least one Cucumis melo seed or aplant grown therefrom comprising a red flesh-associated allele linked toat least one allele associated with an earliness locus.

In an aspect of a method provided herein, assaying the progeny seed froma cross comprising at least one Cucumis melo plant comprising a redflesh trait linked to an earliness trait involves detecting achromosomal region comprising an earliness locus on Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map located within flanking markersNU0243432 and NU0220305 and a red flesh locus on Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map located within flanking markers NU0220305and NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygousT nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygousT nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide atmarker NU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at markerNU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372.In further aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plantwith both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous Gnucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372.In further aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plantwith both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”,at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of amethod provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265.In further aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plantwith both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of a method provided herein,the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregatewith a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432. In furtheraspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide atmarker NU0243432. In further aspects of a method provided herein, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305. In further aspectsof a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earlinessand red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide, at markerNU0220305. In further aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In furtheraspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reachespeak Brix accumulation at least 3 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plantwithout an earliness trait. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reachespeak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plantwithout an earliness trait. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reachespeak Brix accumulation at least 5 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plantwithout an earliness trait. In further aspects of a method providedherein, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh reachespeak Brix accumulation at least 6 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plantwithout an earliness trait. In some aspects of a method provided herein,genetic assays of the Cucumis melo plant comprise PCR, single strandconformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis, TAQMANassay, or DNA sequencing. In further aspects of a method providedherein, an earliness locus can be detected using an assay that detectsany marker that is linked to the markers NU0243432 or NU0220305. Infurther aspects of a method provided herein, a red flesh locus can bedetected using an assay that detects any marker that is linked to themarkers NU0220305, NCMEL009758372, or NCMEL008579265.

In certain aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo seedobtained that is capable of growing a plant comprising an earlinesstrait linked to a red flesh trait on Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map is seed of Cucumis melo line CHA-ZA15-0014AN. Incertain aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo seedobtained is progeny seed from a cross between one parent comprising anearliness trait and another parent comprising a red flesh trait. Incertain aspects of a method provided herein, the Cucumis melo seedobtained is progeny seed from a cross between one parent comprising anearliness trait obtainable from the Cucumis melo line “BEST” and anotherparent comprising a red flesh trait obtainable from Cucumis melo lineCHA-192-0058-MO.

In certain aspects of a method provided herein, a genetic marker linkedto and useful in molecular detection of the earliness locus is selectedfrom the group consisting of NU0219671, NU0243432, NU0243324, NU0219095,NU0218257, NU0219354, NU0219672, NU0219274, NU0243607, NU0219118,NU0220372, NU0220305, and NU0220446. In certain aspects of a methodprovided herein, a genetic marker linked to and useful in moleculardetection of the red flesh locus is selected from the group consistingof NU0220305, NU0220372, NU0219774, NCMEL009758372, NU0219889,NU0244419, NU0244478, NU0220446, NU0219650, NU0244718, NU0218943,NCMEL008579265, NU0219136, NU0243542, NU0219676, and NU0243281. Infurther aspects of a method provided herein, an earliness locus can bedetected using an assay that detects any marker that is linked to themarkers NU0219671, NU0243432, NU0243324, NU0219095, NU0218257,NU0219354, NU0219672, NU0219274, NU0243607, NU0219118, NU0220372,NU0220305, and NU0220446. In further aspects of a method providedherein, a red flesh locus can be detected using an assay that detectsany marker that is linked to the markers NU0220305, NU0220372,NU0219774, NCMEL009758372, NU0219889, NU0244419, NU0244478, NU0220446,NU0219650, NU0244718, NU0218943, NCMEL008579265, NU0219136, NU0243542,NU0219676, and NU0243281.

The application provides for and includes a method of producing Cucumismelo germplasm, plants, or plant parts comprising planting a Cucumismelo seed and growing said seed into a Cucumis plant wherein saidCucumis melo plant comprises a fruit having red flesh with a hue anglebetween 55° and 63° and a red flesh trait linked to an earliness traiton Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

In a further aspect of this method, a Cucumis melo plant comprises afruit having red flesh with a hue angle between 55° and 63° and a redflesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map wherein a Cucumis melo plant withan earliness trait reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 3 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In afurther aspect of this method, a Cucumis melo plant comprises a fruithaving red flesh with a hue angle between 55° and 63° and a red fleshtrait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map wherein a Cucumis melo plant with anearliness trait reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4 days earlierthan a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In a furtheraspect of this method, a Cucumis melo plant comprises a fruit having redflesh with a hue angle between 55° and 63° and a red flesh trait linkedto an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map wherein a Cucumis melo plant with an earlinesstrait reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 days earlier than aCucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In a further aspect ofthis method, a Cucumis melo plant comprises a fruit having red fleshwith a hue angle between 55° and 63° and a red flesh trait linked to anearliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map wherein a Cucumis melo plant with an earlinesstrait reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 days earlier than aCucumis melo plant without an earliness trait.

In an aspect of this method, a Cucumis melo plant comprising a fruithaving red flesh with a hue angle between 55 and 63° and a red fleshtrait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 ofthe Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map is grown. In a further aspect of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant comprising a fruit having red flesh witha hue angle between 55 and 63° and a red flesh trait linked to anearliness trait on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map comprises an earliness locus located withinflanking markers NU0243432 and NU0220305 linked to a red flesh locuslocated within flanking markers NU0220305 and NCMEL008579265 on LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map. In further aspects ofthis method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, ahomozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at marker NU0243432,a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide, “GG”, at markerNU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265.In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL009758372. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygousG nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygousG nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, atmarker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumismelo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305,a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at markerNU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous Cnucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305, and a homozygous T nucleotide,“TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of this method, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372, and a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305 and ahomozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265. In furtheraspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide at markerNU0220305 and a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372.In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous G nucleotide,“GG”, at marker NU0243432. In further aspects of this method, theCucumis melo plant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with aheterozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432. In further aspects ofthis method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NU0220305.In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh co-segregate with a heterozygous C nucleotide,at marker NU0220305. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh co-segregate with a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL009758372. In further aspects of thismethod, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness and red fleshco-segregate with a homozygous T nucleotide, “TT”, at markerNCMEL008579265. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis meloplant with both earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulationat least 3 days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earlinesstrait. In further aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant withboth earliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 4days earlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. Infurther aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with bothearliness and red flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 5 daysearlier than a Cucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In furtheraspects of this method, the Cucumis melo plant with both earliness andred flesh reaches peak Brix accumulation at least 6 days earlier than aCucumis melo plant without an earliness trait. In some aspects of thismethod, genetic assays of the Cucumis melo plant comprise PCR, singlestrand conformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis, TAQMANassay, or DNA sequencing.

In a further aspect of this method, the Cucumis melo plant detected withboth earliness and red flesh is the progeny of the Cucumis melo plantthat comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL009758372 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect of this method, the Cucumis melo plant detected with bothearliness and red flesh is the progeny of the Cucumis melo plant thatcomprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a C nucleotide atmarker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265. In afurther aspect of this method, the Cucumis melo plant detected with bothearliness and red flesh is the progeny of a Cucumis melo plant thatcomprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 linked to a T nucleotide atmarker NCMEL008579265. In a further aspect of this method, the Cucumismelo plant detected with both earliness and red flesh is the progeny ofa Cucumis melo plant that comprises a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In a further aspectof this method, the Cucumis melo plant detected with both earliness andred flesh is the progeny of a Cucumis melo plant that comprises a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305 linked to a T nucleotide at markerNCMEL008579265. In a further aspect of this method, the Cucumis meloplant detected with both earliness and red flesh is the progeny of aCucumis melo plant that comprises a C nucleotide at marker NU0220305linked to a T nucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372. In some aspects ofthis method, genetic assays of the Cucumis melo plant comprise PCR,single strand conformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradientgel electrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis,TAQMAN assay, or DNA sequencing.

In an aspect of this method, the Cucumis melo seed that produces a plantthat comprises a fruit having red flesh with a hue angle between 55 and63° and a red flesh trait linked to an earliness trait on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map is of the Cucumismelo line CHA-ZA15-0014AN. In certain aspects of this method, theCucumis melo seed is planted that is a F₁ progeny from a cross where theCucumis melo line CHA-ZA15-0014AN is at least one of the parents. Inother aspects of this method, the Cucumis melo seed will contain genomicmaterial that will confer a red flesh phenotype linked to an earlinessphenotype as is found in CHA-ZA15-0014AN or as derived fromCHA-ZA15-0014AN where CHA-ZA15-0014AN is in the pedigree of the seedmaterial.

In certain aspects of this method, a genetic marker linked to and usefulin molecular detection of the earliness locus is selected from the groupconsisting of NU0219671, NU0243432, NU0243324, NU0219095, NU0218257,NU0219354, NU0219672, NU0219274, NU0243607, NU0219118, NU0220372,NU0220305, and NU0220446. In certain aspects of this method, a geneticmarker linked to and useful in molecular detection of the red fleshlocus is selected from the group consisting of NU0220305, NU0220372,NU0219774, NCMEL009758372, NU0219889, NU0244419, NU0244478, NU0220446,NU0219650, NU0244718, NU0218943, NCMEL008579265, NU0219136, NU0243542,NU0219676, and NU0243281.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as those commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art. One skilled in the art will recognize many methods canbe used in the practice of the present disclosure. Indeed, the presentdisclosure is in no way limited to the methods and materials described.For purposes of the present disclosure, the following terms are definedbelow.

Any references cited herein, including, e.g., all patents andpublications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

As used herein, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,the term “a plant” or “at least one plant” may include a plurality ofplants.

The term “about” is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around,or in the region of. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with anumerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundariesabove and below the numerical values set forth plus or minus 10%.

As used herein, and unless indicated otherwise, “plant” refers to awhole plant or a cell or tissue culture derived from a plant, comprisingany of: whole plants, plant components or organs (e.g., leaves, stems,roots, fruits, etc.), plant tissues, seeds, plant cells, and/or progenyof the same. A progeny plant can be from any filial generation, e.g.,F₁, F₂, F₃, F₄, F₅, F₆, F₇, etc. A plant cell is a biological cell of aplant, taken from a plant or derived through culture from a cell takenfrom a plant.

As used herein, the term “plant, or part thereof” includes plant cells,plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissue culture from which melon plantscan be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that areintact in plants or parts of plants such as pollen, flowers, seeds,leaves, stems, fruit, and the like.

As used herein, the term “population” means a genetically heterogenouscollection of plants that share a common parental derivation.

As used herein, the term “inbred” or “inbred line” means a substantiallyhomozygous individual or variety.

As used herein, the term “hybrid” means an offspring of a cross betweentwo genetically unlike individuals.

As used herein, “similar growth conditions” refer to similarenvironmental conditions and/or agronomic practices for growing andmaking meaningful comparisons between two or more plant genotypes sothat neither environmental conditions nor agronomic practices wouldcontribute significantly to or explain any difference observed betweenthe two or more plant genotypes. Environmental conditions include, forexample, light, temperature, water (humidity), and nutrition (e.g.,nitrogen and phosphorus).

As used herein, “selecting” or “selection” in the context ofmarker-assisted selection (MAS) or breeding refer to the act of pickingor choosing desired individuals, normally from a population, based oncertain pre-determined criteria.

As used herein, the term “trait” refers to a phenotype or one or moredetectable characteristics of a cell or organism which can be influencedby genotype. The phenotype can be observable to the naked eye, or by anyother means of evaluation known in the art, e.g., microscopy,biochemical analysis, genomic analysis, an assay for a further diseasetolerance, etc. In some cases, a phenotype is directly controlled by asingle gene or genetic locus, e.g., a “single gene trait.” In othercases, a phenotype is the result of several genes.

As used herein, a “marker” is an indicator for the presence of at leastone phenotype, genotype, or polymorphism. Markers include, but are notlimited to, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), cleavable amplifiedpolymorphic sequences (CAPS), amplified fragment length polymorphisms(AFLPs), restriction fragment length poly-morphisms (RFLPs), simplesequence repeats (SSRs), insertion(s)/deletion(s) (“INDEL”(s)),inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and random amplified polymorphicDNA (RAPD) sequences. DNA sequencing, e.g. of chromosomal DNA, may alsobe employed to determine the allele present at a given marker ofinterest. A marker is preferably inherited in co-dominant fashion (bothalleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygote are readily detectable),with no environmental variance component, i.e., heritability of 1. A“nucleic acid marker” as used herein means a nucleic acid molecule thatis capable of being a marker for detecting a polymorphism. Stringentconditions for hybridization of a nucleic acid probe or primer to amarker sequence or a sequence flanking a marker sequence refers, forinstance, to nucleic acid hybridization conditions of 1×SSC and 65° C.

As used herein, “primer” refers to an oligonucleotide (synthetic oroccurring naturally), which is capable of acting as a point ofinitiation of nucleic acid synthesis or replication along acomplementary strand when placed under conditions in which synthesis ofa complementary strand is catalyzed by a polymerase. Typically, primersare about 10 to 30 nucleotides in length, but longer or shortersequences can be employed. Primers may be provided in double-strandedform, though the single-stranded form is more typically used. A primercan further contain a detectable label, for example a 5′ end label.

As used herein, “probe” refers to an oligonucleotide (synthetic oroccurring naturally) that is complementary (though not necessarily fullycomplementary) to a polynucleotide of interest and forms a duplexstructure by hybridization with at least one strand of thepolynucleotide of interest. Typically, probes are oligonucleotides from10 to 50 nucleotides in length, but longer or shorter sequences can beemployed. A probe can further contain a detectable label.

As used herein, “marker assay” means a method for detecting a marker ata locus using a method, e.g. measurement of at least one phenotype (suchas a visually detectable trait, including red flesh and earliness),restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), single base extension,electrophoresis, sequence alignment, allelic specific oligo-nucleotidehybridization (ASO), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD),microarray-based technologies, PCR-based technologies, and nucleic acidsequencing technologies, etc.

As used herein, “polymorphism” means the presence of one or morevariations in a population. A polymorphism may manifest as a variationin the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid or as a variation in theamino acid sequence of a protein. Polymorphisms include the presence ofone or more variations of a nucleic acid sequence or nucleic acidfeature at one or more loci in a population of one or more individuals.The variation may comprise but is not limited to one or more nucleotidebase changes, the insertion of one or more nucleotides or the deletionof one or more nucleotides. A polymorphism may arise from randomprocesses in nucleic acid replication, through mutagenesis, as a resultof mobile genomic elements, from copy number variation and during theprocess of meiosis, such as unequal crossing over, genome duplicationand chromosome breaks and fusions. The variation can be commonly foundor may exist at low frequency within a population, the former havinggreater utility in general plant breeding and the latter may beassociated with rare but important phenotypic variation. Usefulpolymorphisms may include single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs),insertions or deletions in DNA sequence (Indels), simple sequencerepeats of DNA sequence (SSRs), a restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism (RFLP), and a tag SNP. A genetic marker, a gene, aDNA-derived sequence, a RNA-derived sequence, a promoter, a 5′untranslated region of a gene, a 3′ untranslated region of a gene,microRNA, siRNA, a tolerance locus, a satellite marker, a transgene,mRNA, ds mRNA, a transcriptional profile, and a methylation pattern mayalso comprise polymorphisms. In addition, the presence, absence, orvariation in copy number of the preceding may comprise polymorphisms.

As used herein, “SNP” or “single nucleotide polymorphism” means asequence variation that occurs when a single nucleotide (A, T, C, or G)in the genome sequence is altered or variable. “SNP markers” exist whenSNPs are mapped to sites on the genome.

As used herein, “germplasm” refers to living sources of geneticmaterial. The germplasm can be part of an organism or cell, or can beseparate from the organism or cell. In general, germplasm providesgenetic material with a specific molecular makeup that provides aphysical foundation for some or all of the hereditary qualities of anorganism or cell culture. As used herein, germplasm includes cells,seed, or tissues from which new plants may be grown, or plant parts,such as leaves, stems, pollen, ovules, or cells that can be culturedinto a whole plant.

As used herein, a centimorgan (“cM”) is a unit of measure ofrecombination frequency and genetic distance between two loci. One cM isequal to a 1% chance that a marker at one genetic locus will beseparated from a marker at a second locus due to crossing over in asingle generation. Genetic distances can be calculated fromexperimentally derived recombination values using the Kosambi function(Kosambi, The estimation of map distances from recombination values.Annals of Eugenics, 12:172-75 (1944)).

As used herein, “linked” or “genetically linked” means that the markeror locus is within about 20 cM, 19 cM, 18 cM, 17 cM, 16 cM, 15 cM, 14cM, 13 cM, 12 cM, 11 cM, 10 cM, 9 cM, 8 cM, 7 cM, 6 cM, 5 cM, 4 cM, 3cM, 2 cM, 1 cM, 0.5 cM, or less than 0.5 cM of another marker or locuson the same chromosome. For example, 10 cM means that recombinationoccurs between the marker and the locus with a highly predictablerecombination frequency of equal to or less than about 10%.

The genetic linkage of marker molecules can be established by a genemapping model such as, without limitation, the flanking marker modelreported by Lander and Botstein, Genetics, 121:185-199 (1989), andinterval mapping, based on maximum likelihood methods described byLander and Botstein, Genetics, 121:185-199 (1989), and implemented inthe software package MAPMAKER/QTL (Lincoln and Lander, Mapping GenesControlling Quantitative Traits Using MAPMAKER/QTL, Whitehead Institutefor Biomedical Research, Massachusetts, (1990). Additional softwareincludes Qgene, Version 2.23 (1996), Department of Plant Breeding andBiometry, 266 Emerson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.), JoinMap(Kyazma B.V., Wageningen, Netherlands), and mapQTL (Kyazma B.V.,Wageningen, Netherlands).

As used herein, the phrase “associated with” or “linked to” refers to arecognizable and/or assayable relationship between two entities. Assuch, a marker is “associated with” a trait when it is linked to orco-segregates with it and when the presence of the marker is anindicator of whether and/or to what extent the desired trait or traitform will occur in a plant/germplasm comprising the marker. Similarly, amarker is “associated with” or “linked to” an allele when it is linkedto or co-segregates with it and when the presence of the marker is anindicator of whether the allele is present in a plant/germplasmcomprising the marker. For example, “a marker is linked to red flesh”when that marker is 10 cM or less away from an allele that co-segregateswith red flesh.

As used herein, “crossed” or “cross” means to produce progeny viafertilization (e.g. cells, seeds or plants) and includes crosses betweenplants (sexual) and self-fertilization (selfing).

As used herein, “backcross” and “backcrossing” refer to the processwhereby a progeny plant is repeatedly crossed back to one of itsparents. In a backcrossing scheme, the “donor” parent refers to theparental plant with the desired gene or locus to be introgressed. The“recipient” parent (used one or more times) or “recurrent” parent (usedtwo or more times) refers to the parental plant into which the gene orlocus is being introgressed. (Ragot et al., Marker-assistedBackcrossing: A Practical Example. Techniques Et Utilisations DesMarqueurs Moleculaires Les Colloques, 72:45-56 (1995); and Openshaw etal., Marker-assisted Selection in Backcross Breeding, in Proceedings OfThe Symposium “Analysis of Molecular Marker Data,” pp. 41-43 (1994)).The initial cross gives rise to the F₁ generation. The term “BC₁” refersto the second use of the recurrent parent, “BC₂” refers to the third useof the recurrent parent, and so on. In an aspect, a backcross isperformed repeatedly, with a progeny individual of each successivebackcross generation being itself backcrossed to the same parentalgenotype.

As used herein, “genetic element” or “gene” refers to a heritablesequence of DNA, e.g., a genomic sequence, with functional significance.The term “gene” can also be used to refer to, e.g., a cDNA or an mRNAencoded by a genomic sequence, as well as to that genomic sequence.

As used herein, “genotype” is the genetic constitution of an individual(or group of individuals) at one or more genetic loci, as contrastedwith the observable trait (phenotype). Genotype is defined by theallele(s) of one or more known loci that the individual has inheritedfrom its parents. The term genotype can be used to refer to anindividual's genetic constitution at a single locus, at multiple loci,or, more generally, the term genotype can be used to refer to anindividual's genetic make-up for all its genome.

As used herein, a “haplotype” is the genotype of an individual at aplurality of genetic loci. Typically, the genetic loci described by ahaplotype are physically and genetically linked, e.g., in the samechromosome interval. Selection based upon a haplotype can be moreeffective than selection based upon a single marker locus.

A “Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL)” is a chromosomal location thatencodes for alleles that affect the expressivity of a phenotype.

As used herein, the term “phenotype” means the detectablecharacteristics of a cell or organism that can be influenced by geneexpression.

As used herein, the term “introgressed,” when used in reference to agenetic locus, refers to a genetic locus that has been introduced into anew genetic background. Introgression of a genetic locus can thus beachieved through plant breeding methods and/or by molecular geneticmethods. Such molecular genetic methods include, but are not limited to,various plant transformation techniques or methods that provide forhomologous recombination, non-homologous recombination, site-specificrecombination, or genomic modifications that provide for locussubstitution or locus conversion.

As used herein, “mapping” is the process of defining the linkagerelationships of loci through the use of genetic markers, populationssegregating for the markers, and standard genetic principles ofrecombination frequency.

As used herein, “genetic mapping” is the process of defining the linkagerelationships of loci through the use of genetic markers, populationssegregating for the markers, and standard genetic principles ofrecombination frequency. A “genetic map location” is a location on agenetic map relative to surrounding genetic markers on the same linkagegroup where a specified marker can be found within a given species. Incontrast, a “physical map” of the genome refers to absolute distances(for example, measured in base pairs or isolated and overlappingcontiguous genetic fragments, e.g., contigs). In general, the closer twomarkers or genomic loci are on the genetic map, the closer they lie toone another on the physical map. A physical map of the genome does nottake into account the genetic behavior (e.g., recombination frequencies)between different points on the physical map. A lack of preciseproportionality between genetic distances and physical distances canexist due to the fact that the likelihood of genetic recombination isnot uniform throughout the genome; some chromosome regions arecross-over “hot spots,” while other regions demonstrate only rarerecombination events, if any. Genetic mapping variability can also beobserved between different populations of the same crop species. Inspite of this variability in the genetic map that may occur betweenpopulations, genetic map and marker information derived from onepopulation generally remain useful across multiple populations inidentification of plants with desired traits, counter-selection ofplants with undesirable traits and in MAS breeding. As one of skill inthe art will recognize, recombination frequencies (and as a result,genetic map positions) in any further populations are not static. Thegenetic distances separating two markers (or a marker and a QTL) canvary depending on how the map positions are determined. For example,variables such as the parental mapping populations used, the softwareused in marker mapping or QTL mapping, and the parameters input by theuser of the mapping software can contribute to the QTL marker geneticmap relationships. However, it is not intended that the disclosure belimited to any further mapping populations, use of any further software,or any further set of software parameters to determine linkage of afurther marker or chromosome interval with a desired phenotype. It iswell within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art toextrapolate the novel features described herein to any gene pool orpopulation of interest, and using any further software and softwareparameters. Indeed, observations regarding genetic markers andchromosome intervals in populations in addition to those describedherein are readily made using the teaching of the present disclosure.

As used herein, “genetic map” or “genetic map location” refers to theposition of a marker, loci, or genetic feature as found on the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map for Cucumis melo. All genetic map locations listedherein are provided in cM as determined from the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map. As used herein, “physical map” or “physical map location”refers to the position of a marker, loci, or genetic feature as found onthe current ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map. All physical maplocations listed herein are provided in basepair number as determinedfrom the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

The publicly available Cucumis melo maps include the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map published by the International Cucurbit GenomicsInitiative (Diaz, et al., “A consensus linkage map for molecular markersand quantitative trait loci associated with economically importanttraits in melon (Cucumis melo L.),” BMC Plant Biol. 11:111, 2011;“Diaz”) and the linkage map of Oliver et al., 2001 (Oliver, et al.,“Construction of a reference linkage map for melon,” Genome 44:836-845,2001; “Oliver”). The ICuGI has a comprehensive curation of past andcurrent maps. The differences between the ICuGI Consensus map, theOliver map, and the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map are summarized inTable 2. The physical positions in nucleotide basepairs for markersdisclosed in the present specification are taken from the ICuGIconsensus map (www.icugi.org). According to the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map, Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Mapcontains 35,939,859 nucleotides basepairs (bp). According to Diaz,Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map isapproximately 98 cM indicating that 1 cM is approximately equivalent to366,733 bp on this map assuming equivalent crossover frequency over theentire Linkage Group (35,939,859 bp/98 cM=366,733 bp per cM).

TABLE 2 Two currently available genetic maps compared to the MonsantoConsensus Genetic Map ICuGI Public Monsanto ICuGI Public OliverConsensus Consensus Consensus 2001 Map Genetic Map Genetic Mapchromosome G1 LG8 LG8 8 G2 LG3 LG3 3 G3 LG7 LG7 7 G4 LG5 LG5 5 G5 LG11LG11 11 G6 LG1 LG1 1 G7 LG9 LG9 9 G8 LG2 LG2 2 G9 LG10 LG10 10 G10 LG4LG6 4 G11 LG12 LG12 12 G12 LG6 LG4 6

As used herein, “Linkage Group” refers to one of twelve geneticintervals on a melon genetic map. As used herein, and unless indicatedotherwise, “Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map”refers to a genetic interval on the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map thatcorresponds with Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus GeneticMap and Linkage Group 12 of the Oliver 2001 Map, as indicated in Table2. Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map is inverted ascompared to the order of markers as found in Linkage Group 6 of theICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map. Chromosome number corresponds to thenumber of the linkage group as established on the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map, for example Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map is equivalent to Chromosome 6, Linkage Group 1 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map is equivalent to Chromosome 1, and so on.

As used herein, “Least Square mean of hue” or “hue LSM” is a measure offruit flesh color. As used herein, a melon fruit with a flesh hue LSM ofless than 0.475 is defined as orange and a melon fruit with a hue LSM ofgreater than or equal to 0.475 is defined as red.

As used herein, “single locus converted plant” or “conversion plants”refers to plants which are developed by a plant breeding techniquecalled backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of a Cucumis melo variety are recovered inaddition to the characteristics of the single locus transferred into thevariety via the backcrossing technique and/or by genetic transformation.Plants of this type may also be achieved through site-directedrecombination techniques.

A genetic marker profile of an inbred may be predictive of the agronomictraits of a hybrid produced using that inbred. For example, if an inbredof known genetic marker profile and phenotype is crossed with a secondinbred of known genetic marker profile and phenotype it is possible topredict the phenotype of the F₁ hybrid based on the combined geneticmarker profiles of the parent inbreds. Methods for prediction of hybridperformance from genetic marker data is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,492,547, the disclosure of which is specifically incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. Such predictions may be made using anysuitable genetic marker, for example, SSRs, CAPS, INDELs, RFLPs, AFLPs,SNPs, isozymes, or by DNA sequencing.

Additional markers, such as SSRs, AFLP markers, RFLP markers, RAPDmarkers, phenotypic markers, SNPs, isozyme markers, or microarraytranscription profiles that are genetically linked to or correlated withalleles of a QTL of the present application can be utilized (Walton,Seed World 22-29 (July, 1993); Burow and Blake, Molecular Dissection ofComplex Traits, 13-29, Eds. Paterson, CRC Press, New York (1988)).Methods to isolate such markers are known in the art. For example,locus-specific SSRs can be obtained by screening a genomic library forSSRs, sequencing “positive” clones, designing primers which flank therepeats, and amplifying genomic DNA with these primers.

Selection of appropriate mapping or segregation populations is importantto map construction. The choice of appropriate mapping populationdepends on the type of marker systems employed (Tanksley et al.,Molecular mapping plant chromosomes. Chromosome structure and function:Impact of new concepts J. P. Gustafson and R. Appels (eds.), PlenumPress, New York, pp. 157-173 (1988)). Consideration must be given to thesource of parents (adapted vs. exotic) used in the mapping population.Chromosome pairing and recombination rates can be severely disturbed(suppressed) in wide crosses (adapted×exotic) and generally yieldgreatly reduced linkage distances. Wide crosses will usually providesegregating populations with a relatively large array of polymorphismswhen compared to progeny in a narrow cross (adapted×adapted).

As used herein, the progeny include not only, without limitation, theproducts of any cross (be it a backcross or otherwise) between twoplants, but all progeny whose pedigree traces back to the originalcross. Specifically, without limitation, such progeny include plantsthat have 50%, 25%, 12.5% or less genetic material derived from one ofthe two originally crossed plants. As used herein, a second plant isderived from a first plant if the second plant's pedigree includes thefirst plant.

Desirable Cucumis melo plant traits, e.g., as displayed by agronomicallyelite lines or cultivars, and that may be independently selectedinclude, but are not limited to: plant vigor, fruit flesh color, fruitrind morphology, time to maturity, adaptation to field growth,adaptation to greenhouse growth, and resistance to one or more diseasesor disease causing organisms.

An F₂ population is the first generation of self or sib pollinationafter the hybrid seed is produced. Usually a single F₁ plant is self- orsib-pollinated to generate a population segregating for all the genes inMendelian (1:2:1) fashion. Maximum genetic information is obtained froma completely classified F₂ population using a codominant marker system(Mather, Measurement of Linkage in Heredity: Methuen and Co., (1938)).In the case of dominant markers, progeny tests (e.g., F₃, BCF₂) arerequired to identify the heterozygotes, thus making it equivalent to acompletely classified F₂ population. However, this procedure is oftenprohibitive because of the cost and time involved in progeny testing.Progeny testing of F₂ individuals is often used in map constructionwhere phenotypes do not consistently reflect genotype (e.g., diseaseresistance) or where trait expression is controlled by a QTL.Segregation data from progeny test populations (e.g., F₃ or BCF₂) can beused in map construction. MAS can then be applied to cross progeny basedon marker-trait map associations (F₂, F₃), where linkage groups have notbeen completely disassociated by recombination events (i.e., maximumdisequilibrium).

Backcross populations can be utilized as a mapping population. Abackcross population is created by one or more crosses from an F₁ withone of the parents. A series of backcrosses to the recurrent parent canbe made to recover most of its desirable traits. Thus a population iscreated consisting of individuals nearly like the recurrent parent buteach individual carries varying amounts or a mosaic of genomic regionsfrom the donor parent. Backcross populations can be useful for mappingdominant markers if all loci in the recurrent parent are homozygous andthe donor and recurrent parent have contrasting polymorphic markeralleles (Reiter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 89:1477-1481(1992)). Information obtained from backcross populations using eithercodominant or dominant markers is less than that obtained from F₂populations because one, rather than two, recombinant gametes aresampled per plant. Backcross populations, however, are more informative(at low marker saturation) when compared to Recombinant Inbred Lines asthe genetic distance between linked loci increases in Recombinant InbredLine populations (i.e., about 15% recombination). Increasedrecombination can be beneficial for resolution of tight linkages, butmay be undesirable in the construction of maps with low markersaturation.

Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) is a method developed for the rapididentification of linkage between markers and traits of interest(Michelmore, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 88:9828-9832(1991)). In BSA, two bulked DNA samples are created from a segregatingpopulation originating from a single cross. These two bulked groupscontain individuals that are assigned to one group or the other based onthe presence or absence of the trait being interrogated (for example,either resistance or sensitivity to disease) or genomic region. Forunlinked or distantly (˜50 cM) linked loci, the frequency of allelesreflect that predicted by independent assortment and the populationstructure; i.e. regions unlinked to the target region will not differbetween the BSA samples.

Plants generated using a method of the present application can be partof or generated from a breeding program. The choice of breeding methoddepends on the mode of plant reproduction, the heritability of thetrait(s) being improved, and the type of cultivar used commercially(e.g., F₁ hybrid cultivar, pure line cultivar, etc). Selected,non-limiting approaches, for breeding the plants of the presentapplication are set forth below. A breeding program can be enhancedusing MAS of the progeny of any cross. It is further understood that anycommercial and non-commercial cultivars can be utilized in a breedingprogram. Factors such as, for example, emergence vigor, vegetativevigor, stress tolerance, disease resistance, branching, flowering, fruitsize, fruit quality, seed set, and seed density will generally dictatethe choice.

For highly heritable traits, a choice of superior individual plantsevaluated at a single location will be effective, whereas for traitswith low heritability, selection should be based on mean values obtainedfrom replicated evaluations of families of related plants. Popularselection methods commonly include pedigree selection, modified pedigreeselection, mass selection, and recurrent selection. In a preferredaspect a backcross or recurrent breeding program is undertaken.

The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the breeding method.Backcross breeding can be used to transfer one or a few favorable genesfor a highly heritable trait into a desirable cultivar. This approachhas been used extensively for breeding disease-resistant cultivars.Various recurrent selection techniques are used to improvequantitatively inherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use ofrecurrent selection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease ofpollination, the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination,and the number of hybrid offspring from each successful cross.

Breeding lines can be tested and compared to appropriate standards inenvironments representative of the commercial target area(s) for two ormore generations. The best lines are candidates for new commercialcultivars; those still deficient in traits may be used as parents toproduce new populations for further selection.

One method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performancerelative to other experimental plants and to a widely grown standardcultivar. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicatedobservations can provide a better estimate of its genetic worth. Abreeder can select and cross two or more parental lines, followed byrepeated self or sib pollinating and selection, producing many newgenetic combinations.

The development of new melon lines requires the development andselection of melon varieties, the crossing of these varieties andselection of superior hybrid crosses. The hybrid seed can be produced bymanual crosses between selected male-fertile parents or by using malesterility systems. Hybrids are selected for certain traits such as fruitsize, flesh color, or herbicide resistance which indicate that the seedis truly a hybrid. Additional data on parental lines, as well as thephenotype of the hybrid, influence the breeder's decision whether tocontinue with the specific hybrid cross.

Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods can be usedto develop cultivars from breeding populations. Breeding programscombine desirable traits from two or more cultivars or variousbroad-based sources into breeding pools from which cultivars aredeveloped by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. New cultivarscan be evaluated to determine which have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding is used commonly for the improvement ofself-pollinating crops. Two parents who possess favorable, complementarytraits are crossed to produce an F₁. An F₂ population is produced byselfing one or several F₁'s. Selection of the best individuals in thebest families is performed. Replicated testing of families can begin inthe F₄ generation to improve the effectiveness of selection for traitswith low heritability. At an advanced stage of inbreeding (i.e., F₆ andF₇), the best lines or mixtures of phenotypically similar lines aretested for potential release as new cultivars.

Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a simplyinherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable homozygous cultivaror inbred line, which is the recurrent parent. The source of the traitto be transferred is called the donor parent. The resulting plant isexpected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar)and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent. After theinitial cross, individuals possessing the phenotype of the donor parentare selected and repeatedly crossed (backcrossed) to the recurrentparent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of therecurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferredfrom the donor parent.

The single-seed descent procedure in the strict sense refers to derivinga new generation from a single seed from the previous generation. Whenthe population has been advanced from the F₂ to the desired level ofinbreeding, the plants from which lines are derived will each trace todifferent F₂ individuals. The number of plants in a population declineseach generation due to failure of some seeds to germinate or some plantsto produce at least one seed. As a result, not all of the F₂ plantsoriginally sampled in the population will be represented by a progenywhen generation advance is completed.

Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used fordifferent traits and crops can be found in one of several referencebooks (e.g., Fehr, Principles of Cultivar Development Vol. 1, pp. 2-3(1987)).

The following are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

embodiment 1. A Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, wherein saidCucumis melo plant comprises a trait locus for a red flesh allele linkedto a trait locus for an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6of the International Cucurbit Genomics Initiative (ICuGI) PublicConsensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 2. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment 1,wherein said part is a selected from the group consisting of seed, leaf,cotyledon, pollen, embryo, root, root tip, anther, pistil, flower, bud,fruit, seed, stalk, and meristem.

embodiment 3. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment 1,wherein said red flesh allele is a homozygous red flesh allele onCucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 4. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 3, wherein said part is a mature fruit comprising redflesh with a hue angle less than 63°.

embodiment 5. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 4, wherein said part is a mature fruit comprising redflesh with a hue angle between 55° and 63°.

embodiment 6. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 5, wherein said Cucumis melo plant is a hybrid.

embodiment 7. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 6, wherein said Cucumis melo plant is an inbred line.

embodiment 8. A Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 7, wherein said Cucumis plant is Cucumis melo cultivarCHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representative sample seed of Cucumis melo cultivarCHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with the ATCC under ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-124202.

embodiment 9. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 8, wherein said part is a mature fruit with totalcarotenes of at least 40 parts per million.

embodiment 10. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 9, wherein said plant or part thereof comprises ahomozygous earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 11. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 10, wherein said red flesh allele is located in agenomic region flanked by nucleic acid markers NCMEL0085795265 (SEQ IDNO: 1) and NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 ofthe ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 12. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 11, wherein said homozygous red flesh allele comprisesa TT nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe havinga nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 13. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 12, wherein said homozygous red flesh allele comprisesa TT nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe havinga nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 14. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 13, wherein said part is a mature fruit with totalcarotenes greater than a mature fruit obtained from an isogenic plantlacking a homozygous red flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 ofthe ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map grown under similar conditions.

embodiment 15. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 14, wherein said part is a mature fruit comprising 15parts per million or greater total carotenes more than a mature fruitobtained from an isogenic plant lacking said homozygous red flesh alleleon Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus GeneticMap, when grown under similar conditions.

embodiment 16. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 15, wherein said part is a mature fruit with greaterthan 20% more total carotenes than that of a mature fruit obtained froman isogenic plant lacking said homozygous red flesh allele on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map grownunder similar conditions.

embodiment 17. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 16, wherein said plant or part thereof comprises atleast one earliness allele of an earliness locus.

embodiment 18. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment17, wherein said earliness allele is located in a genomic region flankedby nucleic acid markers NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ IDNO: 3) on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map.

embodiment 19. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment17, wherein said earliness allele comprises a C nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10.

embodiment 20. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment17, wherein said earliness allele comprises a G nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

embodiment 21. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment17, wherein said plant comprises a fruit that reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least three days earlier than a fruit obtained from anisogenic plant lacking an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map, grown under similarconditions.

embodiment 22. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 21, wherein said part is a cell derived from a tissueselected from the group consisting of leaf, cotyledon, pollen, embryo,root, root tip, anther, pistil, flower, bud, fruit, seed, stalk, andmeristem.

embodiment 23. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment22, wherein said cell is a non-reproductive cell.

embodiment 24. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of embodiment22, wherein said cell is in a tissue culture.

embodiment 25. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 1 to 24,wherein said Cucumis plant is Cucumis melo cultivar or is derived fromCucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representative sample seed ofCucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with theATCC under ATCC Accession No. PTA-124202.

embodiment 26. A Cucumis melo seed capable of producing a Cucumis meloplant, wherein a plant grown from said seed comprises a trait locus forred flesh linked to a trait locus for earliness on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 27. A container comprising Cucumis melo seeds according toembodiment 26.

embodiment 28. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 26 or 27, wherein aplant grown from said seed further comprises a mature fruit having redflesh with a hue angle less than or equal to 63°.

embodiment 29. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to28, wherein a plant grown from said seed produces a mature fruitcomprising red flesh with a hue angle between 55° and 63°.

embodiment 30. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to29, wherein a plant grown from said seed produces a fruit comprisingtotal carotenes of at least 40 parts per million at maturity.

embodiment 31. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to30, wherein a plant grown from said seed further comprises a fruit withan average Brix content of at least 9° Brix at maturity.

embodiment 32. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to31, wherein a plant grown from said seed further comprises a fruit withan average Brix content of at least 11° Brix at maturity.

embodiment 33. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to32, wherein a plant grown from said seed comprises a homozygous redflesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 34. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 33, wherein saidhomozygous red flesh allele is located in a genomic region flanked bynucleic acid markers NCMEL0085795265 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and NU0220305 (SEQID NO: 2) on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map.

embodiment 35. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 33, wherein saidhomozygous red flesh allele comprises a TT nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 36. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 33, wherein saidhomozygous red flesh allele comprises a TT nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 37. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to33, wherein a plant grown from said seed produces a mature fruitcomprising total carotenes greater than a mature fruit obtained from anisogenic plant lacking said homozygous red flesh allele on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map grown undersimilar conditions.

embodiment 38. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to37, wherein a plant grown from said seed produces a mature fruitcomprising greater than 15 parts per million more total carotenes thanthat of a mature fruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking saidhomozygous red flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map grown under similar conditions.

embodiment 39. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to38, wherein a plant grown from said seed produces a mature fruitcomprising greater than 20% more total carotenes than that of a maturefruit obtained from an isogenic plant lacking said homozygous red fleshallele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map grown under similar conditions.

embodiment 40. The Cucumis melo seed of any one of embodiment s 26 to39, wherein a plant grown from said seed comprises at least one alleleof an earliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 41. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 40, wherein saidearliness allele is located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acidmarkers NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3) on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 42. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 40, wherein saidearliness allele comprises a C nucleotide sequence identifiable using anucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10.

embodiment 43. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 40, wherein saidearliness allele comprises a G nucleotide sequence identifiable using anucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or14.

embodiment 44. The Cucumis melo seed of embodiment 40, wherein a plantgrown from said seed further comprises a fruit that reaches peak Brixaccumulation at least three days earlier than a fruit obtained from anisogenic plant lacking said at least one allele of an earliness locus onCucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Mapgrown under similar conditions.

embodiment 45. A method for detecting a red flesh locus linked to anearliness locus on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plant comprising,

a. obtaining at least one progeny seed from a cross comprising at leastone Cucumis melo plant comprising a trait locus for red flesh linked toa trait locus for earliness on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map;

b. assaying said at least one progeny seed or a plant grown therefrom ofstep a) for the presence of at least one red flesh allele and at leastone allele of an earliness locus; and

c. detecting at least one Cucumis melo seed or a plant grown therefromof step b) comprising a red flesh allele linked to an earliness allele.

embodiment 46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein said assayingcomprises identifying said red flesh allele with a T nucleotide sequenceusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or 6.

embodiment 47. The method of embodiment 45 or 46, wherein said assayingcomprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM or less of SEQ IDNO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 48. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 47, whereinsaid red flesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiableusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:17 or 18.

embodiment 49. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 48, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 50. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 49, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Cnucleotide sequence using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 51. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 50, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 52. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 51, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Gnucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe having anucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 53. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 52, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

embodiment 54. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 53, whereinsaid Cucumis melo plant comprising said trait locus for red flesh linkedto said trait locus for earliness trait is Cucumis melo cultivarCHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representative sample seed of Cucumis melo cultivarCHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with the ATCC under ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-124202.

embodiment 55. The method of any one of embodiment s 45 to 54, whereinassaying the Cucumis melo plant comprises PCR, single strandconformational polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis, cleavage fragment length polymorphism analysis, TAQMANassay, or DNA sequencing.

embodiment 56. A method of producing a Cucumis melo plant comprising,

-   -   a. planting a Cucumis melo seed; and    -   b. growing said seed into a Cucumis melo plant wherein said        Cucumis melo plant comprises a fruit having red flesh with a hue        angle between 55° and 63° and a trait locus for red flesh linked        to a trait locus for earliness on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6        of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 57. The method of embodiment 56, wherein said trait locus forred flesh comprises a homozygous red flesh allele located in a genomicregion flanked by nucleic acid markers NCMEL0085795265 (SEQ ID NO: 1)and NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of theICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 58. The method of embodiment 56 or 57, wherein saidhomozygous red flesh allele comprises a TT nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 59. The method of any one of embodiment s 56 to 58, whereinsaid homozygous red flesh allele comprises a TT nucleotide sequenceidentifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequenceof SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 60. The method of any one of embodiment s 56 to 59, whereinsaid Cucumis melo plant comprises at least one allele of an earlinesslocus located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acid markersNU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3) on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 61. The method of embodiment 60, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a C nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10.

embodiment 62. The method of embodiment 60, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a G nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

embodiment 63. The method of embodiment 56, wherein said seed is aprogeny seed from a cross comprising at least one Cucumis melo planthaving a trait locus for red flesh linked to a trait locus for earlinesson Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus GeneticMap.

embodiment 64. The method of embodiment 56, wherein said seed is aprogeny seed from a cross comprising at least one Cucumis melo plant ofcultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representative sample seed of Cucumis melocultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with the ATCC under ATCCAccession No. PTA-124202.

embodiment 65. The method of any one of embodiment s 56 to 64, whereinsaid progeny seed is a F₁ progeny seed.

embodiment 66. The method of any one of embodiment s 55 to 65, whereinsaid seed is capable of producing Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN,a representative sample seed of Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014ANhaving been deposited with the ATCC under ATCC Accession No. PTA-124202.

embodiment 67. A method of producing a Cucumis melo plant, or partthereof, comprising,

-   -   a. planting a Cucumis melo seed;    -   b. growing a first Cucumis melo plant comprising a trait locus        for a red flesh allele linked to a trait locus for an earliness        allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public        Consensus Genetic Map;    -   c. crossing said first Cucumis melo plant to a second Cucumis        melo plant, wherein said second Cucumis melo plant lacks said        trait locus for a red flesh allele linked to a trait locus for        an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI        Public Consensus Genetic Map; and    -   d. selecting a progeny Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof,        comprising a trait locus for a red flesh allele linked to said        trait locus for an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage        Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 68. The method of embodiment 67, wherein said red fleshallele is located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acid markersNCMEL0085795265 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map and saidearliness allele is located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acidmarkers NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3) on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 69. The method of embodiment 67 or 68, wherein said red fleshallele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 70. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 69, whereinsaid red flesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiableusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:17 or 18.

embodiment 71. The method of embodiment 70, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a C nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10.

embodiment 72. The method of embodiment 70, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a G nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

embodiment 73. The method of embodiment 70, further comprisingharvesting seed from a fruit of said selected progeny Cucumis meloplant.

embodiment 74. The method of embodiment 72, wherein said seed is aprogeny seed from a cross comprising at least one Cucumis melo plant ofcultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representative sample seed of Cucumis melocultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with the ATCC under ATCCAccession No. PTA-124202.

embodiment 75. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 74, whereinsaid second Cucumis melo plant comprises a trait locus for a red fleshallele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public ConsensusGenetic Map.

embodiment 76. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 75, whereinsaid progeny seed is a F₁ progeny seed.

embodiment 77. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 76, whereinsaid first Cucumis melo plant is a Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014ANor is derived from a Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, arepresentative sample seed of Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014ANhaving been deposited with the ATCC under ATCC Accession No. PTA-124202.

embodiment 78. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 77, whereinsaid second Cucumis melo plant is an elite variety of Cucumis melo.

embodiment 79. The method of any one of embodiment s 67 to 78, furthercomprising backcrossing said progeny Cucumis melo plant to said firstCucumis melo plant.

embodiment 80. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 25, wherein said part is a fruit comprising an averageBrix content of at least 9° Brix at maturity.

embodiment 81. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of any one ofembodiment s 1 to 25, wherein said part is a fruit comprising an averageBrix content of at least 11° Brix at maturity.

embodiment 82. A method of producing a Cucumis melo plant, or partthereof, comprising,

-   -   a. growing a first Cucumis melo plant comprising a trait locus        for a red flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the        ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map,    -   b. crossing said first Cucumis melo plant to a second Cucumis        melo plant comprising a trait locus for an earliness allele on        Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus        Genetic Map,    -   c. selecting a first progeny Cucumis melo plant comprising a red        flesh allele and an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage        Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map;    -   d. harvesting progeny seed from a fruit of said selected first        progeny Cucumis melo plant;    -   e. performing a second cross, wherein parents of said second        cross are selected from the group consisting of a Cucumis melo        plants grown from said first progeny seed and said first Cucumis        melo plant; and    -   f. selecting a second progeny Cucumis melo plant from said        second cross, said second progeny Cucumis melo plant comprising        a trait locus for a red flesh allele linked to a trait locus for        an earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI        Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 83. The method of embodiment 82, further comprisingharvesting seed from a fruit of said selected first or second progenyCucumis melo plant from said second cross.

embodiment 84. The method of embodiment 82 or 83, wherein said red fleshallele is located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acid markersNCMEL0085795265 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map and saidearliness allele is located in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acidmarkers NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3) on Cucumismelo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 85. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 84, whereinsaid first Cucumis melo plant comprises a trait locus with a homozygousred flesh allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map, said second Cucumis melo plant comprises a traitlocus with a homozygous earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map, or said first Cucumis meloplant comprises a trait locus with a homozygous red flesh allele onCucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Mapand said second Cucumis melo plant comprises a trait locus with ahomozygous earliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGIPublic Consensus Genetic Map.

embodiment 86. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 86, whereinsaid progeny Cucumis melo plant or seed is an F₁ progeny plant or seed.

embodiment 87. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 86, furthercomprising backcrossing said progeny Cucumis melo plant or a plant grownfrom said progeny Cucumis melo seed to said first Cucumis melo plant orsaid second Cucumis melo plant.

embodiment 88. The method of embodiment 82 or 87, wherein said red fleshallele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6.

embodiment 89. The method of any one of embodiment s 82 to 88, whereinsaid red flesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiableusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:17 or 18.

embodiment 90. The method of embodiment 89, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a C nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 or 10.

embodiment 91. The method of embodiment 89, wherein said earlinessallele comprises a G nucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleicacid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 or 14.

embodiment 92. A method for detecting a red flesh allele linked to anearliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plant comprising,

-   -   a. obtaining at least one Cucumis melo plant;    -   b. assaying said at least one plant of step a) for the presence        of a red flesh allele and an earliness allele on Cucumis melo        Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map; and    -   c. detecting at least one Cucumis melo plant of step b)        comprising a red flesh allele linked to an earliness allele on        Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus        Genetic Map.

embodiment 93. The method of embodiment 92, wherein said assayingcomprises identifying said red flesh allele with a T nucleotide sequenceusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5or 6.

embodiment 94. The method of embodiment 92 or 93, wherein said assayingcomprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM or less of SEQ IDNO:5 or 6.

embodiment 95. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 94, whereinsaid red flesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiableusing a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:17 or 18.

embodiment 96. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 95, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 97. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 96, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Cnucleotide sequence using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 98. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 97, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 99. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 98, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Gnucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe having anucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 100. The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 99, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 101. A method for detecting a red flesh allele linked to anearliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plant comprising,

-   -   a. obtaining at least one Cucumis melo plant;    -   b. assaying said at least one plant of step a) for the presence        of a red flesh allele and an earliness allele on Cucumis melo        Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map,        wherein said assaying comprises identifying said red flesh        allele with a T nucleotide sequence using a nucleic acid probe        having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or 6; and    -   c. detecting at least one Cucumis melo plant of step b)        comprising a red flesh allele linked to an earliness allele on        Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus        Genetic Map.

embodiment 102. The method of embodiment 101, wherein said assayingcomprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM or less of SEQ IDNO:5 or 6.

embodiment 103. The method of embodiments 101 or 102, wherein said redflesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence identifiable using anucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 104. The method of any one of embodiments 101 to 103, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18.

embodiment 105. The method of any one of embodiments 101 to 104, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Cnucleotide sequence using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 106. The method of any one of embodiments 101 to 105, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 107. The method of any one of embodiments 101 to 106, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Gnucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe having anucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 108. The method of any one of embodiments 101 to 107, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 109. A method for detecting a red flesh allele linked to anearliness allele on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI PublicConsensus Genetic Map in a Cucumis melo plant comprising,

-   -   a. obtaining at least one Cucumis melo plant;    -   b. assaying said at least one plant of step a) for the presence        of a red flesh allele and an earliness allele on Cucumis melo        Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map,        wherein said red flesh allele comprises a T nucleotide sequence        identifiable using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid        sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 or 18; and    -   c. detecting at least one Cucumis melo plant of step b)        comprising a red flesh allele linked to an earliness allele on        Cucumis melo Linkage Group 6 of the ICuGI Public Consensus        Genetic Map.

embodiment 110. The method of embodiment 109, wherein said assayingcomprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM or less of SEQ IDNO:17 or 18.

embodiment 111. The method of embodiments 109 or 110, wherein saidassaying comprises identifying said red flesh allele with a T nucleotidesequence using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO:5 or 6.

embodiment 112. The method of any one of embodiments 109 to 111, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:5 or 6.

embodiment 113. The method of any one of embodiments 109 to 112, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Cnucleotide sequence using a nucleic acid probe having a nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 114. The method of any one of embodiments 109 to 113, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:9 or 10.

embodiment 115. The method of any one of embodiments 109 to 114, whereinsaid assaying comprises identifying said earliness allele with a Gnucleotide sequence identifiable using a nucleic acid probe having anucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 116. The method of any one of embodiments 109 to 115, whereinsaid assaying comprises using a genetic marker sequence within 5 cM orless of SEQ ID NO:13 or 14.

embodiment 117 The method of any one of embodiments 92 to 116, whereinsaid assaying comprises assaying a haploid Cucumis melo cell.

Having now generally described the disclosure, the same will be morereadily understood through reference to the following examples that areprovided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting ofthe present disclosure, unless specified.

Each patent cited herein is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Plant Growth Conditions

Cucumis melo plants used in this study are grown in the field. Fieldstudies are conducted in the summer months in Woodland, Calif. In thefield, plants are arranged in a random complete block design with atleast two replications of plots containing 30 plants each unlessspecified otherwise.

Example 2. Phenotypic Measurements

a) Brix Measurements

Brix is measured in Degree Brix (B) using a refractometer or densitymeter according to manufacturer's instructions (e.g. Refracto 30PX,Mettler-Toledo, Columbus, Ohio) to determine the percent of totalsoluble solids in a fruit.

Female flowers are flagged at anthesis as time T₀. One to six fruit aremeasured for each replication at each timepoint dependent on fruitavailability. Brix is measured at 21, 25, 28, 32, 36, and 39 days postanthesis (DPA) to capture the accumulation of Brix over the typicalperiod that Cucumis melo (Charentais) reaches maturity. Data is analyzedusing JMP software (SAS, Cary, N.C.) using rep as a random effect. TheLeast Square Mean (LSM) of Brix measurements is calculated for eachentry and correlated with genotyping of selected marker loci.

b) Carotenoid Measurements

Carotenoid profile analysis of melon puree is conducted by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using reverse phase separationand Diode Array Detection (DAD) at 450 nm. Extraction is performed inorganic solvent. Sample preparation consists of blended material withoutstraining or dilution until extraction. Blended materials are maintainedfrozen (−20° C.) until ready for extraction. Extracts are analyzedwithin 24 hours of extraction using low light and cold temperatureconditions. Quantitation is performed via computerized integrators andcommercial reference materials are used. Ten melons per entry areevaluated individually and LS Means calculated in JMP software (SAS,Cary, N.C.).

c) Fruit Flesh Color Measurements

Observed color of the fruit is quantified colorimetrically using aKonica Minolta colorimeter according to manufacturer's instructions(e.g. KonicaMinolta® CR-410 Chroma Meter). Hue angle (calculated as thearctangent [a tan 2] of color coordinates a and b using a KonicaMinolta®colorimeter in L*a*b* color mode) is descriptive of color. Before colormeasurements, female flowers are flagged at anthesis as time T₀. Averagehue measurements are calculated for all mature fruit at 34 to 38 DPA.LSM and Mean Square Differences between groups of hue are calculated inJMP software (SAS, Cary, N.C.) using rep as a random effects. Averagelightness and chroma values are also captured using this method.

Example 3. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Analysis

Phenotypic results including color (hue and lightness) and maturity dateare used for QTL analysis of the red flesh mapping populations using thecomposite interval mapping algorithm implemented in WinCartQTL (Wang etal., 2011) QTL statistics are calculated using QTL cartographer.

Example 4. Development of Earliness and Red Flesh Donor Lines

a) Development of the Melon Line “BEST”

“BEST”, a line with improved and early Brix accumulation, is used as thedonor for the early Brix accumulation trait. A sample seed of Cucumismelo line “BEST” has been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12263. See, U.S. Pat. No. 9,580,724. A BRIX4 QTL is identified inthe “BEST” line that is linked to early maturation and confers high Brixaccumulation (FIG. 1 ).

b) Development of the Early Brix Accumulation Donor

CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN, a late maturing line with high Brix, is crossed tothe donor line “BEST” to map the earliness trait within the BRIX4 QTL(FIG. 2 ). A BC₃F₂ (second filial generation of a third backcross)introgression line of CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN with the BRIX4 QTL is selfed tocreate recombinants across the BRIX4 QTL. Recombinant plants are grownaccording to Example 1 and Brix accumulation is measured as described inExample 2.

Genetic analysis of the recombinants is conducted as described inExample 3 and places the earliness event on Linkage Group 4 of theMonsanto Consensus Genetic Map between flanking markers NU0243432(having the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 3) and NU0220305 (having thenucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 2)(See Table 3). One introgression linewith significant early Brix accumulation is named the “earliness event”and is used as the earliness donor in a cross to develop plants with redflesh coupled to early Brix accumulation (FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 ). As shownin FIG. 3 , plants with the homozygous parent allele, “TT”, at markerNU0219672, with the earliness interval, reach maximum Brix after 38days. Plants with a homozygous “BEST” allele, “CC”, at marker NU0219672reach maximum Brix after 28 days (FIG. 3 ). Marker NU0219672 falls intothe genetic interval between flanking markers NU0243432 and NU0220305(See Table 3 and FIG. 3 ).

TABLE 3 Genetic markers flanking the earlinesslocus. Map position is according toICuGI Public Consensus Genetic Map (LG 6). MRN NU0243432 NU0220305Physical 28346029 24876456 Position Favorable G C allele ProbeCAGTCTTGGATGGATT CCAAACTTCATCCTCATCC Allele 1 T Probe AGTCTTGGACGGATTTCAAACTTCATCGTCATCC Allele 2 F Primer GGCACTAGAAATGAGTGGTGGTGGCTCGGTTAATG Sequence CCATACGA T R GCAACTCAGCCTTCCTGGTGGAATTGCGACTCGAA Primer CTTCTG AC Sequence

c) Development of the Red Flesh Donor

Preliminary mapping identifies a genetic interval segregating with redflesh between genetic map positions 49.1 cM and 52.6 cM on Cucumis meloLinkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map (FIG. 1 ). Table 4summarizes three red flesh donor lines, two Charentais and oneItalian-type, used to generate mapping populations. Plants are grown asdescribed in Example 1. Hue angle measurements and QTL analysis areperformed as described in Examples 2 and 3. The results are presented inFIG. 5A and identify one major QTL for red flesh on Cucumis melo LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.

TABLE 4 Mapping populations used to identify a red flesh locus onCucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.Orange Flesh Mapping date Red Flesh Donor recurrent parent and locationGenetic Data Source CHA-192-0058-MO CHA-38-MAKER-AN Woodland greenhouse2012 BSA of Infinium Fingerprint + Sequence Capture CHA-192-0034-ANCHA-MEHARI Woodland greenhouse 2012 TM markers on Chr 4 + SequenceCapture ITAAZ11-7001MO ITAAZ13-0038MO Woodland field 2013 TM markers onChr 4 ITAAZ11-7001MO ITA-188-LIC-MO Woodland field 2013 TM markers onChr 4

Flesh color is scored for 179 F₂ progeny plants from theCHA-192-0058-MO×CHA-38-MAKER-AN cross grown as described in Example 1using hue angle measurements as described in Example 2. Thesemeasurements demonstrate that the red flesh phenotype segregatesrecessively in a simple Mendellian 3:1 distribution (FIG. 5B). Aselection of red and orange F₂ plants from theCHA-192-0058-MO×CHA-38-MAKER-AN cross are used to identify red fleshalleles by Infinium (Illumina, San Diego, Calif.) fingerprintingfollowed by Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA) and sequence capture.

Carotenoid content is correlated with flesh color in Cucumis melo. Redflesh color contains more carotenoids than orange flesh color. Plantsare grown as described in Example 1 and carotenoid content is measuredas described in Example 2. Quantification of (3-carotene for the parentsof the mapping populations and the two color classes of the F₂populations show that fruit having red flesh contains higher levels ofβ-carotene compared to fruit with an orange flesh color (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Total β-carotene measurements (ppm- parts per million) for redand orange flesh recurrent parents and F₂ progeny. Color β-caroteneLines Class (ppm) CHA-38-MAKER Orange 29 CHA-192-0058-MO Red 41.6CHA-38-MAKER × CHA-192-0058-MO F₂s Orange 30.6 CHA-38-MAKER ×CHA-192-0058-MO F₂s Red 51.2 ZA Mehari-2 Orange 16.4 CHA-192-0034-MO Red35.2 Mehari × CHA-192-0034-MO F₂s Orange 18.8 Mehari × CHA-192-0034-MOF₂s Red 34.6

The red flesh phenotype is fixed by selfing of theCHA-192-0058-MO×CHA-38-MAKER-AN cross described above. Flesh color ismeasured for ten F₆ recombinants in the CHA-38-MAKER-AN×CHA-192-0058-MOmapping population with five replications to confirm transmission of thephenotype. Plants are grown as described in Example 1 and colormeasurements are performed as described in Example 2. As shown in FIG. 6, lines with a homozygous C nucleotide, “CC”, at marker NCMEL008579265have CHA-38-MAKER-AN alleles and a hue angle of greater than 63, whichcorrelates to orange flesh color. Likewise, lines with a homozygous Tnucleotide, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265 have CHA-192-0058-MO allelesand a hue angle of between 55-63 degrees correlating with red fleshcolor.

Genotypic analysis in the F₅ recombinant plants further delimits the redflesh locus to an interval identifiable by the flanking markersNCMEL008579265 (having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1) andmarker NU0220305 (having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2) (Table6). A homozygous T allele, “TT”, at marker NCMEL008579265 co-segregateswith the red flesh donor and progeny lines with the red flesh trait. TheCHA-192-0058-MO line is used as the red flesh donor in a cross todevelop plants with red flesh coupled to early Brix accumulation (FIG. 2).

TABLE 6 Genetic markers flanking the red fleshlocus. Map position is according to ICuGI public consensus genetic map.MRN NU0220305 NCMEL008579265 Physical 24876456 22825883 PositionFavorable C T allele Probe CCAAACTTCATCCTCAT AAAACCATTGAATCAAC Allele 1CC Probe CAAACTTCATCGTCATC AAAAACCATTAAATCAA Allele 2 C C F PrimerGGTGGTGGCTCGGTTAA CAATCATATGGTCAATA Sequence TGT AAATGTATGTTCCGTR Primer GGTGGAATTGCGACTCG GTTTAGAATGGAATGGC Sequence AAAC CTGTGTAC

Example 4. Preparation of Early Red Cucumis melo Plants

The “earliness event” donor (“BEST” conversion of the CHA-192-ONTARIO-ANbackground) is crossed to the red flesh donor CHA-192-0058-MO togenerate F₁ plants (FIG. 2 b ). The F₁ generation plants are selfed toprepare F₂ plants and are grown in the field as described in Example 1together with recurrent parents and control plants: CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN,CHA-192-0058-MO, and the “earliness event”. The LSM of Brix measurementsis calculated for each entry as described in Example 2. Brixmeasurements are summarized with genotyping results of selected markerloci across the interval in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 .

Increases in degrees Brix over time are shown for eight recombinants andcontrols (FIG. 7 ). Total Brix accumulation at a given DPA is shown inFIG. 8 . As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , two categories of Brixaccumulation are identified: early Brix accumulation is defined by apeak in accumulation at 28 DPA (FIG. 7A) and late Brix accumulation isdefined by a peak in accumulation after 31 DPA (FIG. 7B). A plant withan early Brix accumulation phenotype shows an increase of at least FBrix by 24 DPA where the Brix level is defined as zero at 21 DPA. Aplant with a late Brix accumulation phenotype shows an increase of atleast F Brix after 26 DPA, typically by 28 DPA. As shown in FIG. 7 andFIG. 8 , the “earliness event” introgression line shows early Brixaccumulation. The red flesh donor, CHA-192-0058-MO, and the recurrentparent of the earliness event introgression, CHA-192-ONATARIO-AN, bothshow late Brix accumulation (FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 ). The absence ofearliness event alleles, a G nucleotide at marker NU0243432 or a Cnucleotide at marker NU0220305, is notable in the recombinant lines withlate Brix accumulation (FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 ).

Development of Line CHA-ZA15-0014AN

One line in this study segregated for both red and orange flesh color(highlighted in FIG. 9 ). This line is fixed for red flesh alleles atNCMEL008579265, but is heterozygous upstream of that marker. Since thelines trialed in the field are F₂, the segregation of flesh color is dueto different recombination sites between marker NU0220305 and markerNCMEL008579265 in different plants within the same family. In order torecover the coupled event, plants fixed for earliness and heterozygous(CT) at marker NCMEL008579265 are selected and selfed. Progeny of theheterozygous segregating lines described above are scored for fleshcolor and genotyped for the coupling event haplotype (FIG. 10 ). Thecoupling event is identified as CHA-ZA15-0014AN. The line is selfedfurther and selected to fix desired secondary traits.

Example 5. Confirmation of Transmission of the Earliness/Red FleshPhenotype on Cucumis melo Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto ConsensusGenetic Map

Early Brix accumulation in the line CHA-ZA15-0014AN is evaluated in thefield alongside the red flesh donor CHA-192-0058-MO, earliness recurrentparent CHA-192-ONATARIO-AN, and an orange flesh sister of the couplingevent. Plants are grown as described in Example 1 and Brix accumulationis measured as described in Example 2. Brix accumulation is reported asa percent of maximum Brix accumulation. (FIG. 11 ) As shown in FIG. 11 ,lines with the earliness locus (coupling event and sister line)accumulate Brix earlier than those without. Early lines reach maximumBrix at approximately 32 days, while the red flesh donor and unconvertedearliness recurrent parent do not reach maximum Brix until 38 days. Brixaccumulation in lines with the earliness locus occurs 4 to 10 daysearlier as compared to lines without the earliness locus

Values of hue angle are shown in Table 7 for the four comparative linesin the field trial. Plants are grown as described in Example 1 and hueangle measurements are taken as described in Example 2. The red fleshlines have a hue angle less than between 55-63° while orange flesh lineshave a hue angle greater than or equal to 64° (Table 7). The couplingevent has a hue angle less than the red flesh recurrent parent exemplaryof a deeper red flesh.

TABLE 7 Hue angle measurement for the red flesh and earliness couplingevent compared to controls. Line Name Hue Angle Coupling Event 60.8°Orange sister of event 74.7° Earliness recurrent parent 71.2° Red Fleshrecurrent parent 63.2°

As described in Example 4, high carotenoid content correlates to redflesh color. In order to quantify the difference in total carotenoids inthe coupling event, the four comparative lines described above aretested to determine the effect of the locus (Table 8). Plants are grownas described in Example 1 and carotenoid measurements are taken asdescribed in Example 2. As shown in Table 8, red flesh lines have 2 to 3times more total carotenes than the orange flesh lines.

TABLE 8 Total carotenes (parts per million) for the red flesh andearliness coupling event compared to controls. Flesh Total carotenesLine name color (ppm) Coupling Event Red 54.130 Orange sister of eventOrange 24.176 Earliness recurrent parent Orange 26.249 Red Flesh DonorRed 51.662

Example 6. Selection of Coupling Events in a Breeding Program

Standard breeding, genotyping, and selection techniques can be used tointrogress the red flesh and earliness coupling event in known melonvarieties and market classes lacking a red flesh locus on Linkage Group4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map, an earliness locus on LinkageGroup 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map, or coupled red flesh andearliness loci on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map.An earliness donor can be used as a source of the earliness trait, suchas the non-limiting example CHA-192-ONTARIO-AN A red flesh donor can beused as a source of the red flesh trait, such as the non-limitingexamples CHA-192-0058-MO, CHA-192-0034-AN, ITAAZ11-7001MO, andCHA-ZA15-0014AN. A red flesh and earliness coupled donor can be used asa source of the coupling event, such as CHA-ZA15-0014AN (deposited underATCC accession number PTA-124202), or a progeny thereof.

Recombination events that combine the earliness locus and red fleshlocus on Linkage Group 4 of the Monsanto Consensus Genetic Map can beselected by screening progeny plants for the specific alleles offlanking markers. The first boundary of a coupling event can be detectedusing the flanking markers NU0243432, NU0220305, or both. In a F₁generation, detection of a heterozygous G nucleotide at markerNU0243432, a heterozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, or both isselected. In subsequent generations, detection of a heterozygous orhomozygous G nucleotide at marker NU0243432, a heterozygous orhomozygous C nucleotide at marker NU0220305, or any combination thereofis selected.

The second boundary of a coupling event can be detected using theflanking markers NCMEL009758372, NCMEL008579265, or both. In a F₁generation, detection of a heterozygous T nucleotide at markerNCMEL009758372, a heterozygous T nucleotide at marker NCMEL008579265, orboth is selected. In subsequent generations, detection of a homozygous Tnucleotide at marker NCMEL009758372, a homozygous T nucleotide at markerNCMEL008579265, or both is selected.

A Cucumis melo plant with earliness and red flesh will comprise anallele described above for marker NU0243432, NU0220305 or both and anallele described above for marker NCMEL009758372, NCMEL008579265, orboth.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of the proprietary inbred plant line disclosed above andrecited in the appended claims have been made with American Type CultureCollection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110. Thedate of deposit for CHA-ZA15-0014AN was May 12, 2017. The deposits of2500 seeds was taken from the same deposits maintained since prior tothe filing date of this application. Upon issuance of a patent, allrestrictions upon the deposits will be irrevocably removed, and thedeposits are intended by Applicant to meet all of the requirements of 37C.F.R. § 1.801-1.809. The ATCC has issued the following accessionnumber: ATCC Accession No. PTA-124202 for CHA-ZA15-0014AN. This depositswill be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent,whichever is longer, and will be replaced as necessary during thatperiod. Applicants do not waive any infringement of their rights grantedunder this patent or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C.2321 et seq.).

What is claimed is:
 1. A Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, whereinsaid Cucumis melo plant comprises a trait locus conferring a red fleshphenotype linked to a trait locus conferring an earliness phenotype,wherein said red flesh trait locus is located in a genomic regionflanked by nucleic acid markers NCMEL0085795265 (SEQ ID NO: 1) andNU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and said earliness trait locus is located in agenomic region flanked by nucleic acid markers NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2)and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3), and wherein said earliness phenotypecomprises a fruit of said plant reaching peak Brix accumulation at leastthree days earlier than a fruit obtained from an isogenic Cucumis meloplant lacking said earliness trait locus when grown under similarconditions.
 2. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim 1,wherein said part is selected from the group consisting of seed, leaf,cotyledon, pollen, embryo, root, root tip, anther, pistil, flower, bud,fruit, seed, stalk, and meristem.
 3. The Cucumis melo plant, or partthereof, of claim 1, wherein said red flesh trait locus is homozygous.4. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim 3, wherein saidpart is a mature fruit comprising red flesh with a hue angle between 55°and 63°.
 5. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim 3, whereinsaid part is a mature fruit comprising total carotenes of at least 40parts per million.
 6. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim3, wherein said part is a mature fruit comprising 15 parts per millionor greater total carotenes more than a mature fruit obtained from anisogenic plant lacking said homozygous red flesh trait locus when grownunder similar conditions.
 7. The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, ofclaim 3, wherein said earliness trait locus is homozygous.
 8. TheCucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim 7, wherein said part is amature fruit comprising an average Brix content of at least 9° Brix. 9.The Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, of claim 7, wherein saidCucumis plant is Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, a representativesample seed of Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN having beendeposited with the ATCC under ATCC Accession No. PTA-124202.
 10. Amethod of producing a Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof, comprising,a. growing a first Cucumis melo plant comprising a trait locusconferring a red flesh phenotype linked to a trait locus conferring anearliness phenotype, wherein said red flesh trait locus is located in agenomic region flanked by nucleic acid markers NCMEL0085795265 (SEQ IDNO: 1) and NU0220305 (SEQ ID NO: 2) and said earliness trait locus islocated in a genomic region flanked by nucleic acid markers NU0220305(SEQ ID NO: 2) and NU0243432 (SEQ ID NO: 3), and wherein said earlinessphenotype comprises a fruit of said plant reaching peak Brixaccumulation at least three days earlier than a fruit obtained from anisogenic Cucumis melo plant lacking said earliness trait locus whengrown under similar conditions; b. crossing said first Cucumis meloplant to a second Cucumis melo plant, wherein said second Cucumis meloplant; and c. selecting a progeny Cucumis melo plant, or part thereof,comprising said red flesh trait locus linked to said earliness traitlocus.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising harvesting seedfrom a fruit of said selected progeny Cucumis melo plant.
 12. The methodof claim 10, wherein said second Cucumis melo plant further comprisessaid red flesh trait locus.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein saidfirst Cucumis melo plant is a Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN oris derived from Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014AN, wherein saidCucumis melo plant derived from Cucumis melo cultivar CHA-ZA15-0014ANcomprises both said red flesh trait locus and said earliness traitlocus, a representative sample seed of Cucumis melo cultivarCHA-ZA15-0014AN having been deposited with the ATCC under ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-124202.